New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-15
BOULEVARD TEMPEST.
p.pTsAN EDITORS WORKING THE
FIELD GUN EPISODE.
,7s1No SENSATIONAL STORIES TO DIscREpr
THEIR GovERNMENr-MUcHA ADO
ABOUT NOTHING

THEIR GOVERNMEkT-MUCH ADO
ABOUT NOTHING.
fco.yr1sht: 1900: BY The New-YOrk TriouneI
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBuNEl
paris Nov. 14-The close of the Exposition
re resssembling OF Parliament and the well
come In preparation for ex-President KRUGER
cause a certain popular effervescence in Paris
which the Nationalist press, and notably Ernest
Judet, IN the Petit Journal" and Lucien Mile
voye in La PatTie." are working for all 1t is
worth as an instrument 10 dlscredit the present
Administration This accounts for the storm of
Indignation in the boulevard press about the
sensational stories according to which the
United States War Department obtained
through its agent IN France complete knowl-
edge OF the secret mechanism OF the 75-milli-
metro field gun with which the entire French
field artillery is equipped. There is to-day
fresh outburst Of the periodical spy mania"
and the sensational accusations against the
United States War Department are accepted by
the boulevard papers as gospel truth.
On the other hand I have the best authority
for stating that neither at the Ministry OF War
the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs is the slight
est Importance attached to the reports in ques-
ton It is known that during the summer and
autumn four United States ordnance officers. be-
sides Lieutenant Mott. OF the United States
Artillery Service, our Military Attache here
we're. al the request OF General Horace Porter
the United States Ambassador, given every rea-
sonable facility by the French military authori-
ties 10 obtain professional information. although
as may readily be understood. several demands.
such, for instance, request to inspect the
French sInokeless powder factory. were politely
refused. Six field batteries supplied with the
new 75-millimetre gun took part in the manoeu-
vres at Chartres IN September. and all the for
e{e o<ic 7
were allowed TO see the guns. but not TO ninutely
inspect their mechanism. OF course, full
ports We're made by the foreign officers incud-
ing ours. 70 their respective Governments. II
must be noted, however, that the standing in
structions 10 the United States Military Attaches
here from the War Department are to restrict
the quest for information to honest above
board methods.
The Petit Journal" to-day aIludes to the case
OF Lieutenant Borup, United States Military
Attache here in 1891, who was recalled after
being accused of combining with the Military
Attaches Of Germany and Italy TO secure French
military secrets. The Petit Journal" states
that win he duped by explanations Of
3ered by the United States authorities The
article shows no animosity toward the United
States. although II is ferociously bitter against
II. Waldeck- Rousseau. General de Gallinet and
General Andre. the present Minister Of War for
destroying the efficiency of the Secret Service
branch Of the General STAFF, the famous Second
Bureau which II considers the best safeguard
for preventing foreign Governments from OBJ
tanning possession OF French military secrets
II. Milleyoye, IN La Patrie." this evening
says:
The United States Government TO which this
important secret OF the French field gun has
been revealed will, doubt. defend itself from
charges OF completely with the spies secret
agents who procured the Information but the
evil, nevertheless. is accomplished.
La Patrie" then Asks:
Who As the second Dreyfus? Where is he?
Where does he hide? Who knows him? Who
viii 6enounce him2
Ambassador Porter, who is in Spain, does
not intend TO return for several weeks.