Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-21
Plans Obtained in a Strictly Hon
orable Manner.
PRINTING OF THE FACT A MISTAKE
Army Officers Visiby Annoyed at
Publications.
REG ARDED AS UNPATRIOTIC

Army officers are visibly annoyed at the
constant and reiterated attacks the SER
vice in connection with the French field
gun 1t is stated in the most emphatic
manner that the plans of the field gun,
which is to he made by the dt partnent
We're obtained In a strictly honorable and
thoroughly Legitimate manner, and that the
conduct of Capt. 1. n. Lewis, 1th Artillery.
who obtained them. has been creditable and
coumendable throughout 1t is generally
admitted, however. that mistake was
made in the publication of the fact that
the government was in possession of such
plans. and that the board of ordnance and
torttications has approved proposition for
the manufacture of d gun based upon them
There was undoubtedly much Indignation
ever the publication Of this information, but
1t is as nothing compared with the IudlSna-
ton aroused by the persistent efforts of Ger
tain persons and newspapers to make trou-
bic between the governments of the United
States and France, and. incidentally. be-
tween Gen. Miles, commanding the army,
and Gen Burlington. chief of the bureau Of
ordnance
How the Secret Leaked Out.
The matter has been already fully in
yestig Ited at the War Department and the
proper officials are in possession of all the
facts in the case. The identity of the Off
cial who made public The letter of Capt
Lewis has been clearly established and all
the circumstances connected Herewith are
fully known. So far as can be learned on
the outside il was case Of misplaced judg
m,rt with no criminal or malicious inten-
tons. The impression prevails that little
or any harm would have resulted but for
the sensational agitation of the matter by
the newspapers. The offending officer will
undoubtedly be disciplined. but 1t is said TO
be unlikely that he will be made the victim
Of court-martial proceedings. The matter
has been temporarily laid aside. pending its
Consideration by the Secretary of War, who
is now in Cuba. and is not expected to re-
SUM his duties in this city before Tuesday
OF next week. He will have so many other
important matters to attend to during the
early days of Congress that 1t Is possible
that he may not find time to act on the
gun scandal for many weeks to come.
General BufHngton's Denial.
General Burlington has officially repu-
dated the published insinuation that he
exposed the plans of the military authori-
ties in regard to the much-talked-of field
piece. and is on record as having no knowl-
edge whatever as 10 how Captain Lewis
letter became public. His disclaimer has
been accepted by General Miles and the
officials generally.
Publications Denounced.
An officer of the army said to day that
the whole matter would have been forgot
ten by the public by this time but for the
efforts of certain newspapers and certain
unnamed private gun-making concerns,
whose interests appear to have been af
fected. to keep the scandal alive. In GER
tain quarters these efforts are described
broadly as unpatriotic, If not reasonable,
as regardless of the purity of their pur
pose, they serve only to disturb the friend
~ relations between the United States and
France by magnifyiug a perfectly simple
proceeding into grave national OffenSe
The officials of the army are becoming con-
cerned. however. over the many sensational
statements made in regard to the matter,
and openly deplore the apparent attempt
to make trouble between the two great re-
publcs. which are on the friendliest terms,
and have been working tremendously
together for an honorable and satisfactory
settlement of the serious troubles in China