The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-07

Patriotic Americans all over the coun-
try can lay their heads upon their pill
lows tonight with the assurance that
Washington. the Nations Capital. is as
safe from an attack by a hostile fleet
as though it were at the top of the
highest peak of the Rockies instead of
being on the banks Of the Potomac
Today no foreign feet within 1900 miles
Of America could get past Fort Wash
ington; twenty days hence. 100 OF the
finest lighting ships in the world could
not get near enough to this city to do a
dollars damage here.
These statements--are made upon the
foundation of facts which will be a pleas
ing surprise to all who take pride in
the capital citp of America 1t has been
the habit Of many well-intentoned per-
sons who were misinformed to assert that
Washington would be an easy prey for
an enemys feet in case Of war.
In fact. nearly everyone living in this
city has felt that the defenses We're in
adequate, and several newspapers have
made the mistake of calling attention to
this fact in no uncertain tone.
war iDtslI Ftbleni BUSY
However, during all Of this idle talk.
the War Department has been making
Fort Washington well nigh impregnable-
and Sheridan's Point even stronger. Sol
diers and civilians have been working for
months on these fordfcations and, since
the Maine disaster, have been working,
rain or shine, hot or cold, day and
night.
In December last. the civilians working
at Sheridan's Point were laid of tenn
porarily. or else transferred TO Fort
Washington, but as soon as the news OF
the blowing up Of the Maine became
public. the War Department began TO
make hasty preparations for a resump-
tion OF the work.
The work has been pushed quietly and
without any ostentation. Indeed while
reports 10 the effect that large force Of
men were busy down the river have at
times been circulated. but little stten-
tion has been paid to them. but those
individuals who, out OF curiosity or
otherwise, have visited Fort Washington
in the last three months, have found that
under no circumstances were they al
-ef'1N 40 80 near A4le tl--pidtclnt4llS-
Since the new ten-inch rifles have been
a. the fort. not even the civilian work
men who helped 10 build the fortifca-
lions have been permitted to go near
them After an emplacement has been
fully prepared for its gun, then no liv-
ing person save men IN the military
service Of the United States is allowed
20 obtain even a glimpse Of it.
Everything Kept Secret.
A story current among the enlisted
men in the fort yesterday was to the ef-
feet that when the lieutenant governor
Of Indiana and a party OF friends visit
ed the post a short time ago, they asked
for permission TO inspect the new guns.
This the commanding officer refused TO
permit and when they became exceed
ingly strenuous in their requests he
said:
Why, gentlemen. my orders are so
strict that were the Secretary of the
Navy TO come here and ask me the
same privilege you have. / would refuse
il. unless he had written permit from
the Secretary Of War. No living being
not even my wife. can go to those en-
placements except they be in the mill
tary service"
Last week the Secretary Of War went
quietly 10 Fort Washington and wit
messed the firing Of the new guns. He
expressed himself as being greatly pleas
ed with his visit, and satisfied that the
defenses Of Washington were more than
ample FOR any emergency.
fn Fort FEaghfuurrgD ~. -, ,.-.. -.
inch rifles. These rifles are terrible
things. They can be used to throw q
steel proiectile or shells. They are in
emplacemeuus which are positively in
vulnerable. No shell, no projectHe known
~ The military service can damage them.
~ tine first sight Of an enemy. officers
ara men viii retire 20 the enplacements
where ammunition enough TO last a
month has been stored. and they would
oe as safe from harm as though they
were miles from the scene Of hostilities.
Disappearing Guns.
The guns are called disappearing.
from the fact thar they rise mechanical
by from their resting place. are discharg-
ed and sink back instantly 10 The eager
gun crew, who Immediately place an
other charge in the long rife.
These rifles are not sighted. They are
fired by . mathematical system. which
makes bad shot almost impossible.
The officer IN charge Of a gun occupies
a protected position. from which he can
see the enemy.
y hen the hostile ship occupies Ger
tain position in The river. the officer
having map Of the river in front Of
him. he orders the gun adjusted in a
certain manner. and the ship viii eet hit
and hit badly.
Ia addition 10 this. another officer who
occupies "a secure position in a con
ming tower also has chart Of The river
in front Of him. By his side is an as-
sistant. who takes. with instruments. the
exact bearings Of the hostile ships. At
The other side Of the officer are numer-
Gus innocent looking little buttons
When the enemy il in the position most
favorable Tor IT, the officer touches a
certain button, and the ship and her
crew viii go soaring 10 the clouds For
the distance Of nearly TWO miles. and
from shore to shore the Potomac River
Is mined with powerful torpedoes, any
one Of which, il i claimed. would blow
the biggest ship aiioat high into the air
At Shcridan's Point.
Across the river from Fort Washing
ton Is Sheridan's Point, and at this place
there are three Of the ten-inch guns de-
scribed already. While these guns are
T.,