The sun., 1897-09-02
FOREIGN NAVAL DRILLS.
RTancuvres or the Fieets OF England. France.
Italy, and Germany.
Prince and Broadway.
Warren and BROADWAY.
Thirty.aecond and broadway.

wAsniNGToS, Sept, IA special series of
articles have been prepared by the Bureau of
Naval Intelligence. based upon information re-
ceived from abroad. on the manuuvres OF tho
fleets Of Great Britain. France, Italy, and Ger
many, with elaborate maps Of the various posi-
tions taken by the separate divisions and squad
rons in the movements conducted, and showing
the extraordinarily large number Of vessels
employed. In the cvolutions carried out by
Great Britain alone more ships OF all classes
participated than the American navy will prob
ably have In ten years. The article devoted to
the French manpuvres shows that each year
France is adding to the number OF vessels par
ticlpating and is correcting many defects which
have heretofore led TO serious. accidents from
collisions in handling SO many vessels Of differ
ent types.
The last mannuvres conducted by the Brit
ish were on a larger scale than any attempted in
seven years, no less than lo5 vessels being
gathered at one point. More cruisers have
been engaged several times in previous years.
but in the late mannuvres IA larger number Of
torpedo boats and so-caled destroycr5 were en-
gagged than ever before. The same objections
are found to exist in the British system Of
mobilization which have been pointed out be-
fore. Within narrow limits The time is known
and the preparations are being made months
that the time required TO mobilize is certainly
misleading hut no doubt is held OF the Ell.
cheney gained by the practical working Of the
system.
The problem given in tho article for the
rival fleets comprises all the elements of actual
warfare. 4 fleet, the first part of which is
ready for battle and the second part preparing
to reinforce The first part, Is watching a aeet
similarly divided. Tho first part OF the home
fleet is superior in force and speed TO the first
part OF the hostile fcct the second parts are
equal, except that the home squadron is supe.
Is with the united home fleet as well. Appar
entity the only principle established. the article
finds, is that a fleet of observation at anchor
can neither accelerate, retard, nor prevent the
exit OF hostile fleet from port not actually
bloc kaded. The Importance OF scouts and
the past. These vessels, the article says; are
the eyes OF he fleet and in war the only re-
liable information they can obtain must be
boats appear TO have been beaten at their own
game, BY the destroyers. and predicts that the
will be assumed by the larger and ADLER boat
that has overpowered It..
OF the manGeuvres Of the French feet the ar
OF efficiency in the Mediterranean squadron,
both as to material and personnel. Much has
ouehly practical system of drills and exercises,
devised and carried out under the direction of
one OF the most capable officers adoat. Vice
In discussing the German nanpuvres the eN.
pert detailed to study them finds that there can
Kiel Canal to Germany. As long as He'll.
| goland and Kiel arc defended, he says, so
long may the canal be considered free from at
| tack. The power 10 double tho naval force
operating either in the North Sea or in the Bal
tic, he concludes, practically doubles the power
| OF the German Navy.
| The italian manGuvres the Italian autho-t.
| ties consider. have demonstrated the vulncrabil.
| ity of the coast. AZ practical ehect,:an addi'
naval estimates. The only adequate protec.
ton against raids Of fast cruisers, in the opinion
OF the expert, is 10 meet them with similar YES.
q