The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-12
A NEW CODE
Established In CONNECTION With Use
of Military Telegraph Lines.


New York, Aug. IA special to the
Tribune from Washington, says:
In general orders issued from the
headquarters of the army a. new code
of regulations governing the transmits
sion or messages over military Iele-
graph lines and lines under military
rule is established. The regulations
have been devised by Gen. Greedy, with
the assistance of Lieut.. Col. Allen of the
signal corps whose experience last sum-
mer at Santiago and in Porto Rico con-
WINGED him that systematic control was
essential to the proper conduct of the
service lines. By direction of the sec
rotary of war the rules were subject
to modification by the commanding
general of an army in the field but no
other officer is permitted to have any
discretion in obeying them. The rules
are as follows:
First-Dispatches will be sent in the
following order Of priority, due regard
being had to the Importance of mes
sages in the same class:
CAD those relating to the movement
or administration of the army in the
field and the navy; OBJ other messages
relating to the army, to the navy and
to governmental departments or bu-
reaus Of the United States; Co mes
SageS of state, territorial or other civil
officials relating to public business; CD
MESA geS between diplomatic agents of
neutral governments; (E) press MESA
ges; CD miscellaneous business, those
relating to death or serious illness hav-
ing priority.
Second-Dispatches containing matter
deemed to be injurious to the interests
of the army must be submitted to the
commanding general of the army in the
field for his orders relative to their
transmission.
Third-Oficers and soldiers are strict
ly prohibited from communicating, ex-
cept to commanding officers or under
special authorization from proper mil
itary authority information by tele-
graph relative to numbers, movements
or operations of troops, or details re-
garding Notifications, ornaments or
experiments made in connection with
military matters. Neither shall they be
permitted to file dispatches containing
opinions on military operations or other
military matters relating to any part
Of the army or command with which
they are serving.
Fourth-Personal and press dispatches
may, under conditions not interfering
/ with military business, be transmitted
free over field military telegraph lines
that are closed to the general public.
Fifth-The use of any cipher is for
hidden except in communication to and
from commanding officers and their SUI
periors, or in cases of civic officers spe-
cially authorized. Personal and press
( codes, however, may be utilized for the
economical transmission upon filing a
/ CODY of the code with the central Office
and under such other regulations as
may be formulated by the general COM
manding the army in the field.
Sixth-The chief signal officer OF an
! army operating in the field, or of a dis
/ trict under military control, in carrying
I out his general instructions will fOrmu-
( late necessary regulations for the man
agement and operation of military tele-
/ graph lines under his control. General
/ rules should be reduced to writing, be
| clearly defined and impartially en-
| forced.
Seventh-Messag relating to mill
tary operations will be received and
transmitted over the flying telegraph
| lines when filed by a correspondent In
! the field who is furnished with a writ
/ ten permit 10 serve in such capacity.
Eighth-Press messages when filed on
| military flying telegraph lines will be
! transmitted in the order of fling, but
no correspondent will be allowed to
| monopoIize the line. When special cir
| cumstances demand special regulations
I will be formulated, subject to the APP
! prevail of the general commanding the
1 army in the field, to prevent monopoliz-
/ alton.
Ninth-Signa1 officers should afford
| press correspondents in the field the
/ fullest Geographic facilities consistent
! with the public interests.
| Tenth-Unvarying courtesy and strict
/ impartiality, Indispensable qualities for
| successful dealings with nOn-military
/ officials and individuals, are strictly en-
/ Joined on officers and men of the signal
! corps.