The Washington times., 1902-08-07
Rule to Prevent Visitors
Examining Guns to Be
Rigidly Enforced.
FOREIGN LAB0RERS BARRED
Italians at Fort Wright Could Have
Secured Plans of Defenses With
Ease Naval and Military Attaches
to Be Excluded.

The War Department is determined to
enforce more strictly the policy CT ex-
cluding from the eoas, defense fortih-
cations persons not connected with the
military service OF the United States
There is a regulation which prohib-
its any person from visiting the para
pets and emplacements without special
authority from the Secretary of War.
At some military posts this has been
rigidly adhered tn while at others its
laxity has been the cause Of considsra-
bic comment. At present 1t is aimed
more directly at visitors and military
attaches of foreign governments. AT
some posts visitors are permitted to
visit the quarters. the parade grounds,
and other places of interest. but an
armed sentinel bars the passage to the
newly mounted guns.
Old Guns to Please Visitors.
At Fort Monroe number of guns of
obsolete type are kept on view for fhe
benefit of visitors. vho are admitted to
the pest under certain restrictions.
At Fort Washington. near the Ma
tional Capital. the rule is very strictly
enforced. and TO ore is permitted about
the post unless on official business.
This is equally true OF nearly all the
recently equipped coast defenses. and
particularly so of the forts about New
York. including the Sandy Hook prov
ing ground
Notwithstanding this a peculiar con-
dition was discovered at Fort Wright,
where several guns of large caIiber have
been Installed and where the empiace-
ments have recently been constructed
The work about the empIacements was
let by contract and the contractor has
been permitted 10 employ on the Gov
ernment reservation a large gang of
Italians who have been unrestraihea in
their observation of the mounting OF the
guns. the storing of ammunition, ard
the plans of the emplacements.
This has been called to the attention :
of the War Department. and Acting
Secretary of War Sanger has deter
mined to bring the matter to the notice
OF the proper officers with a view to
the evil.
No More Foreigners.
1t is very probable that the chief of
engineers. under whose direction all
engineering work is done. will be con-
suited and the contractor notified that
he United States cannot permit the
employment of foreigners upon military
reservations.
Army officers say that while the aver
age Italian workman has not sufficient
Intelligence to make any drawing of
he works. there would be nothing to
prevent an engineer officer from work
ing with the gangs in the disguise of
1 workman, and securing all the in
desired.
The experience of officers in the past
las been that important information of
his character has been secured in this
way. and the War Department is now
determined to adopt such measures as
will prevent recurrence of such folly.
Question of Labor.
The question of labor about the en-
placements is difficult one. owing to
he fact that Americans have often
.aused trouble by striking at critical
periods in the progress of the work
1t has been suggested that as enlisted
nen have been employed in the West
n the construction of barracks and
quarters. they could be utilized. 10 some
xtent. in the work on the emplace-
nents and be raid the extra money thus
armed. Whatever remedy is adopted.
letting Secretary Sanger is of the opin-
en- that the rule against the admis-
ion Of foreigners to the new fortihca-
ions should be rigIdly enforced, and
rders to this effect may be issued at
ny time.