With newer versions of javadoc (since JDK-1.8), "make doc-javahl" reports many errors, causing build failures. Add "-Xdoclint:none" option to restore old, sloppy behavior. Patch created for subversion-1.8.16, should work for other other versions, too. See --- a/Makefile.in +++ b/Makefile.in @@ -650,7 +650,7 @@ # Generate API documentation for the JavaHL package. doc-javahl: - $(JAVADOC) -d $(abs_builddir)/doc/javadoc \ + $(JAVADOC) -Xdoclint:none -d $(abs_builddir)/doc/javadoc \ -sourcepath $(top_srcdir)/subversion/bindings/javahl/src \ -link http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/ \ org.tigris.subversion.javahl \