The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-15

their constituents. They have not fully COM
pretended the fact that, in a most important
range Of any enemy's fleet that might succeed
IT Il controlling the principal Eastern harhors.
They mare Hpe tSo s Smsn%Gle ' tb the ar arguments ,rn &c nnd WhiGh
cial exchanges OF New York city alone should be
suspended even for n short interval by tho sue
from tho higher patriotic motives. the promise
Of liberality on the part OF Congress, rising to
the. full proportion Of the increased revenues
which are now regarded as certain, is believed
to be excellent.
The forthcoming annual reports will doubtless
Committees on Appropriations relating to the
decreased cost OF every branch OF necessary OK:
the time of manufacture have been decreased
to An extent that reflects, great credit upon all
engaged in developing the project. This de-
crease in the engineering branch is at least 10
per cent.
headquarters Of the army, closing all works Of
defence from the public hat 1t is believed will
have q wider application than appears on the
face OF 1t. Says this order
Neither written nor pictorial description OF these
works will be made for publication without the au.
nation be given concern ny them which is not cen.
tnined In the printed reports and documents OF the
Wa1Deparlment.
annual reports give both rawlings and detailed
descriptions of proRressi The question answers
likely to be ]foiIowSd. Up 10 this It tim an
reports have been painfully specific as to the
uetalis OF manufacture OF armament OF all
KINDS, modern carriages or every pattern, and
the results attained by tests of guns, armor, and
experimental emplacencnts.
An order that shuts out all foreign observers,
IN common with our own citizens. is manifestly
incomplete when, at the end Of each year. the
annual volumes furnish plates as full as patent
specifications. and details of every kind moro
comprehensiye and accurate than my foreign
attache could prepare II he should live in tho
works for n month.
1t Is therefore expected by those keeping note
Of the progress Of departmental work that the
next step will be to exclude from tho annual
reports. both of the army and the navy, every
species of, information which in time of war
could not be communicated to an enemy. Under
present methods these interesting volumes,
which testify so fully to the splendid results
attained by engineers. ordnance officers, and
crowded with information which, in time OF
war, could not be given to an enemy without
incurrinE, the death penalty.
This, when our guns have been developed by
methods quite our own, until they are the best
to be found, when our armor has reached a
greater degree OF resisting power than has been
same time possess the maximum power of pene-
%tration. is not as il should be. Hereafter, 1t is
likely that all this Information In its moro i'm
files. and be furnished to the Committees on
Appropriations in entire confidence.
An officer of the Bureau Of Military Informa-
other leading nations in this matter. declared
that there was not one that followed our exam
pie. On the other hand. there was no other
that did not seek by rigid guards TO prevent
such knowledge as we scatter broadcast with
the most elaborate explanations from becoming
known outside of their own military and naval
circles.
The development OF our torpedo system has
been n sealed book from the start. This exam
pie is now to be followed with respect TO visiting
military works. The reforms above alluded TO
are likely TO he applied TO the forthcoming an
nual reports in some of the more important sub
jects treated upon. H. ". BoyNToN.