The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-21


AS a result OF the facts brought to
light through the recent French gun
scandal. the United States Government
today opened campaign of extermina-
tion by means of which it is hoped to rid
the executive departments of spies and
secret agents for European Powers, who.
it is acknowledged, have been permitted
to indulge in the utmost freedom, and
it is alleged have had daily access to
what were considered the secrets OF the
United States War and Navy establish
ments.
Prompt action was decided, upon after
some late developments were brought to
light and when it was discovered that the
French Government would pay no official
attention 10 the fact that an American
Army officer had secured the plans of the
secret type of field ordnance, because Of
the danger of disclosing the identity of the
secret agents of France now in Washing
ton.
That this Government has determined to
put a speedy end to the system of espion-
age established after the Spanish-American
war by the foreign Powers, was made evil
dent today when the State Department Off
eials, at the request Of the War and Navy
Department officials, forwarded letters to
each OF the legations and embassies in this
city, whose Governments are suspected Of
being represented here by spies. demanding
such information as will lead to the dis
coyery of the secret agents Of foreign Gov
ernmeDts.
The letters sent out further propose a
strict system whereby the openly ac-
credited representatives of foreign Gov
ernments in this city may at stated times
inspect the navy yards and ordnance fac
tories operated by the United States, and
the rules viii be strictly enforced. The
former lax method has been found inju-
rious, and it is admitted by high Of
fcials that today the United States, OF
all nations, is unable to have a secret
from these who might be elassed as enc
mics at any time.
\ reciprocal plan is suggested in the
letters, which states that the other pow
ers may obtain opportunities for their en-
voys to inspect American navy yards and
ordnance only by permitting the United
States officers stationed in the various
capitals the same privileges. In this way
it is expected TO bring the matter to a
system, and reports sent out on American
ordnance and methods viii be eounterbaI-
anced by like information from other
Powers, which has heretofore been unob-
tainabIe.
It vas stated by a high official of the
War Department this morning that as soon
as list Of the agents OF the Powers has
been secured, there viii be a general clean
ing out in the State, War, and Navy de-
partments- In the event of the foreign
Governments refusing to give the desired
information, or denying the existence OF
such agents. some twenty-five clerks and
officials noU--kDown TO be foreign agents,
viii be discharged and kept under close
surveillance 50 long as they remain IN this
city
It is admitted that there are at least a
dozen spies in the War Department and
probably ten in the Navy Department,
with a few looking after State Depart
ment matters as stated above, twenty
two Of these have been suspected and are
being watched. One of the FIRST to go will
be, it is said, an agent of the German
Government, who is stationed in the Bu-
reau of Military Information. s5
This step was only taken after careful
deliberation and consultation over the dip
lomatic results Of such a notice AS it is
known beyond doubt that all Of the Gov
ernments addressed are represented here BY
spies, it was determined TO end the matter
and reorganize the bureaus so that future
scandals may be avoided. The action was
taken with the knowledge and consent of
the President, and Secretaries Hay and
Long, and Lieutenant General Miles, Acting
Secretary OF War.