Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-07-23
PREPARING FOR WAR
An ARMv oVFIcGR svuovsNo vHg
GROUND IN CANADA.

Aynsr Trials 81 Isdisa MssA ~ Ds Secret.
Mature Of HaSbor and Coast DsSsnsss %
Ds Concesisd--Our Foreign Attaches 70
! Ne More Alert.
The war department is about 20 make
third attempt To learn something Of the
Typographical and geographical situation
In Canada, with n view To preparing 10
meet certain situations which may be pre-
sented should Great Britain attempt TO In
vade tho United States from tho Canadian
frontier.
III tho two countries ever come TO war,
Canada will be most probably tho base Of
operations for tho British heops, and IL IL
proposed TO gather data showing tho exact
stratogical importance Of certain points In
tho Dominion which would be selected by
Great Britain as the base Of operations.
Three months ago the secretary Of war
detailed an officer to 60 To Canada for this
purpose, and no had just begun to gather
Information when an old admiral OF the
navy, whose daughter he had married,
gave away tho fact that an officer was In
Canada on government mission, and the
result was that tho officer was recalled for
fear that his identity would DO known to
the Canadian officials.
Later second detail was made, and this
affair was promptly frustrated through
some friends who mentioned the fact that
he had been chosen to study the fortifca
ations and military strength Of Canada.
The war department has now detailed
third officer, who will shortly be on his
way to Canada, and It Is believed that he
will succeed In reaching there without the
tv,t. - ht iatt h..tn
The officer will travel incognito and no
one outside the war department officials
will know the purpose Of his visit. The
result of his Investigations will be report
ed TO tho department., with full particu-
lars OF tho situations which would be pre-
sented on the northern frontier should tho
United States and Great Britain again
come TO blows.
1t Is the purpose OF tho war department
to greatly increase tho value OF the bureau
of Information in other directions Mill
tary attaches abroad are to be instructed
to be more alert and to keep tho authori
tics here informed OF everything relative
TO progress In military affairs.
Greater caution Is TO be observed La pre-
venting attaches Of other governments
from securing information of the pro-
posed strength of the principal coastwise
cities and the location Of tho main bat
teries and submarine mines.
For years at every important mortar or
gun test at Sandy Hook representatives of
foreign governments have watched every
trial and have reported results to their
homo offices.
It is understood here that practically ev-
cry European government knows Of tho
proposed sites for submarine mines to
blockade channels to the leading cities on
the coast and have much other valuable
data bearing on our coast defenses and for
tidcations.
Unusual facilities have also been given
naval attaches to keep their governments
advised Of every advance made here IN ar
NOR manufacturing and In ship construc-
tion. Until recently every armor trial at
Indian Head was attended by some repre-
sentative of foreign power, but within
the last few months Secretary Herbert has
issued instructions that hereafter no one
except United States officers shall be pres
ent when the heavy armor plates are tested.
Foreign attaches at Washington have
but little trouble In fading out oil that Is
going ON relative to military and naval
matters, but It Is only after tho greatest
difficulty that the United States attaches
abroad secure information which Is OF any
real value.
They are seldom invited TO armor tests
or trials Of great guns and have no means
of finding out the nature Of the land forti-
flcations, while here everything Is practi-
cally open to the inspection of foreigners.
The war department. proposes to DO more
particular hereafter In ooncealing It's plans
relative TO harbor defenses. and II Is doubt
ful II military attaches will insthe future
obtain any data which will be Of much
real value to their governments.
The defenses Of Boston are being caro-
fully guarded from public notice. No one
IL permitted to land at tho new fortiflca-
tions save government officials. Subma.
rine mines have been established, but nc
one knows exactly where except those con.
nected with the war department.
The same will apply to Sandy Hook, and
the courtesies hereafter extended to mill
tary attaches will be scant compared to
the libeSal treatment they have heretofore