JAPANESE LOOK AT COAST DEFENSES

Two Subjects of Mikado Arrested by Sentry at Fort Stevens, Ore., for Loitering About Military Reservation.

No Incriminating Papers Are Found Upon Their Persons, but Their Actions Arouse Suspicion of Authorities.

PORTLAND, Wednesday, Jan. 22. -- A special to the Oregonian from Fort Stevens, Ore., says:

Much consternation was caused today by the capture of two Japanese who were found loitering in the west battery of Fort Stevens.

The sentry while walking his post to the west battery suddenly came upon two Japanese who were walking upon the parapet of the battery. As this place is rarely visited except by special permission from the district artillery commander, the sentry hid behind a sentry box and watched their movements. Seeing them point to the different guns and emplacements and looking over the situation in general, the sentry took them into custody and marched them back to the main post.

No Satisfactory Explanation.

They were then interviewed by the district adjutant-lieutenant, B.H. Kerfoot, who could obtain no satisfactory explanation for their trespassing.

Although nothing of an incriminating nature could be found upon their persons, indications are that they were at the post for the purpose of obtaining plans and sketches of the different fortifications and modes of defense.

The Japanese were very well dressed and seemed to be above the average in appearance and intelligence. The fact of their being in the West battery, probably the most important battery at the river's mouth, makes the situation more serious than it would otherwise be. The battery consists of six ten-inch rifles and two six-inch rapid fire guns and is considered one of the most potent factors in the defense of this part of the coast.

Unofficial Intelligence.

Unofficial intelligence was received some time ago relative to surreptitious work of this nature, but practically nothing was thought of it until recently, when the various reports of the many instances of the Japanese obtaining plans, etc., of the different coast defenses of the United States were received. No action of an official nature has yet been taken, but an investigation will probably result and if the evidence tends to show that there is anything in the suspicions, complications are likely to arise.