Bisbee daily review., 1911-04-09
ARMY SPIES IN J. $. FIND NEW LAW F0R THEM Those Who Attempt to Get Maps and Drawings of Our Forts Liable to
 Arrest LAW PASSED AT THE
 REGENT SESSION Instances of Bold Work Cited to Show Need of Strict :. Watch by the
 Officers
lBy Victor Elliott }


 WASHINGTON. D. C., April S. During the closing days of the late congress there was passed a meas ure of highest importance which re- ceivee little public attention. More ever. the facts which prompted the enactment of the bill received still smaller considration, except by those who were instrumental in pushing the legislation.
 TAe measure is what is known in military circles as the spy" bill It was introduced by Representative Hobson. of Alabama, and seeks to prevent persons not entitled to such information, from obtaining or un- Gertaking to obtain. any sketch, photograph, negative. plan, model or knowledge concerning our national aefenses. The act is explicit, and provides penalties upn conviction of violating the statute. Most persons slap have thought that there was already such a law upon the statute books, but such was not the case un- tI a few days ago, and any person. even though caught in the act oi making sketches or taking photo graphs of notifications, could be pun ished for nothing more than tres pass.
 Protection Necessary.
 The necessity for protection against the procurement of such information by foreigners has increased steadily with the growing importance of nat ionai preparation for war in time oi pease. The issues of the most mod ern wars have been settled quickly by reason of preparation ~f 'ae beiii' gerants, Eotably. the Rasso-Japan- csc war, the FrancO-German war and the Austrian-Prussian war h this contest of preparations the ques ton Of knowledge on the part of the enemy is of vital importance, p@ru cularly in the case of the location oi forts. of batteries, Of mines and tor I-edoes. Such knowledge may act uaHy settle the contest, in the opin ion of military experts.
 Nearly every civilized nation oi the world, with the exception of th' tnited States, has heretofore taker precaution against the revelation O it's national defense secrets in foreigI governments, and has provided pun isrment for persons caught spying II times of peace. Again and again suci spies have been detected in the ac of obtaining Yaluabue information but this government could do noth ing. Caught in other lands the nave been punished severely; caush in the United States or in any O our possessions have been set a liberty without punishment.
 Instance Of Spy Work.
 some time ago a British subjec hving in Calcutta picked up in tn streets of that city small packag os blue prints containing informs rfon with reference to the defense os Corregidor Island. in the Phill f..es. Recognizing their characte be delivered them to the America .l-saI at Calcutta, who foTwarde rIeu through the state oepaItiheH' rne war department. in Washington S5gnifcance is attached to the I2' nat those were blue prints. I'D vEereabouts of the original tracing are still unknown. Those blue print ,gutained a complete set ot drawinE oe. he defenses Of CorTegidor Islam which is the main stronghold Of tt lntted States in the Philippine The work was finely and careful exccused. evidently by a draitsma Of unusual skill and technical know edge. Tabulatej upon some or U slue prints Fas military inform ton as to the heighth of guns abo' the sea, accurate methodical locati' ef searchlights, fire control. and mil stations, and other information
 highly confidential character. In f.-