Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-07
It Will Be Enforced if the Occasion
Demands It.
TIE MASSlNG OF TIE War SHIPS
Evolutions to Be Made in the
Vicinity Of Venezuela.
SIGNIFICANT MOVEM ENT

The winter plans for the North Atlantic
squadron are important and very signif-
can't in view of the situation in Cuba and
the attitude this country has assumed to-
ward British encroachments in Venezuela.
This government does not desire to make
any aggressive move prematurely, but at
the same time intends to be as we'll pre-
pared as possible for any emergency that
may arise. The North Atlantic squadron is
to be greatly strengthened. Transfers are
to be made so as to assemble in that
squadron about all the best vessels in the
navy, and instead of ceasing their squadron
drill for the winter they will continue it
in the southern waters. The result will be
that the strongest squadron that this coun-
try has ever assembled will he cruising in
the vicinity of Venezuela, British Guiana
and Cuba. An impressive demonstration of
force will thus be made, but 1t will be un-
der the guise of practice drills.
Practice Squadron Drill Necessary.
The excuse for adding vessels to the
squadron and going into those waters will
be that it is desirable that every one of
the new vessels should have practice in
squadron drill, and that it is necessary to
continue the practice through the winter.
These evolutions, while nominally con-
uuCleO IOF the purpose OF Qfllln& tue OIL
GERS and men Of the ships Of the navy in
the evolutions of modern naval warfare
are, without question, to be carried on for
the prime purpose Of having powerful
heet in tne vicinity Of trouble, If trouble
occurs. With headquarters probably at
Colon, there will be almost constant COM
muncation between the admiral in COM
mand of the fleet and the Navy Depart
Is feared that it may, for something more
than diplomacy in the Venezuelan-Cub
matter, a powerful fleet would be within an
hours communication of Washington, and
at the same time within twenty-four hours
sailing distance of the probable seat of the
troubles
Significance of the Movement.
This new movement is regarded as of the
utmost Importance and as of far more sig
nificance than any similar action of the
authorities for many years past. 1t means
that the administration proposes to strictly
enforce the Monroe doctrine and to have
power behind itself to bring about the en-
forcement.
The southern line of the cruising ground
of the North Atlantic squadron is just
about degree south of the equator, so
that the United States can. without ap-
pearing to make a hostile demonstration,
mass her warships along the entire coast
Of Venezuela and British Guiana. The
North Atlantic squadron is the most pow
erful fleet of the American navy in Ameri-
can waters, and with the vessels to be ad-
ded will make an impressive showing. The
South Atlantic squadron consists of some
times one and sometimes three vessels of
the second, third and fourth classes, with
few modern cruisers employed. At the
present time 1t consists of three vessels,
only one of which, the Newark, Is of a
formidable character.
1t is also asserted that the Secretary con-
templates holding the South Pacific squad
ron in the vicinity of Valparaiso, where,
in case of need, they could be readily COM
municated with by cable.