Evening journal., 1897-10-08
THE RULE OF EXCLUSION
CIVILIANS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM
FORTlFlCATlONS.

THIS APPLIES TO FORT DELLA
WARE AND THE BATTERIES ON
THE JERSEY AND DELAWARE
SHORES.
Those civilians who have enjoyed a
visit to the government Notifications
at Delaware City may congratulate
themselves, for the instructions issued
by the War Department to exclude
from fortifications, either completed on
In process OF construction, all civilians
are being rigidiy enforced in all coast
defences. This action is taken largely
on account of the refusal OF foreign
governments to permit American mill
tary attaches and visiting army Off
GERS to inspect military works abroad
and from a denial In reciprocatiOn ol
courtesies which had for many years
been extended in this country 10 mil
tary and naval attaches of foreign le
cations. Until within a few months
past the government extended to tn,
representatives of foreign countries
every opportunity to inspect the rec
ords of our army and navy, to atten,
the tests Of our ordnance and trials O
armor plate. It has been the custom
for years for the legations In Washing
ton to send to the War and Navy De
partment attaches with requests for in
formation respecting our military an
naval establishments. and such re
i quests have never been denied.
j These courtesies have been extended
Notwithstanding the fact that Amer
can representatives of both branches {
the service abroad have been persist
emily denied similar courtesies. Tn
order from the War Department forbit
ding inspection of our coast defences b
} any visitors except under direct ordel
} from high authority, followed close
III upon similar order denying foreif
D representatives the right to witne
D tests Of armor plate and ordnance at Il
, dian Head It Is understood that q
} secretary of war is now considering q
} issuance of an order prohibiting bl
} reaus of the War Department from fu
} nishing information upon call from u
} various foreign legations. Such an o
} der Is quite as important as the tN
} which have preceded it. There is I
D reason whatever why the United Stat
Dl should accord the representatives
0 foreign governments information OF
= character which they bluntly refuse
0 accord to military and naval attaches
this government stationed abroad.
! 1t is we'll known that such attach
are detailed for service at the vario
embassies and legations for the pu
pose of collecting information regar
- ing the naval and military establis
. ment of the country to which teey a
accredited. Abroad such informati'
!, is secured with extreme difficulty az
= through unofficial channels. T
\ United States has never until the "a
4 year placed the slightest obstacle in {
= path of foreign army and navy Office
{ obtaining any information which th
: might desire regarding invention
works in progress. or changes in I
/, various fortifcations, in the organic
tion of the army, or in the construct
Of our naval vessels. This courtesy b
been taken as a matter ef course un
. IL came to be regarded as a matter
% right. so far as foreign gOvernmeI
II are concerned. If Secretary Alger pl
n up the bars against access to War l
F. partment records. except for those W
e have a right to inspect them, he "
assist in carrying out a record viii
n has long been needed. and which shot
10 have been put into effect years ago.