The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-29
MIMIC WAR OFF, CHARLESTON.
The Programme of EvOIutions For
Admiral Bunce's Fleet.
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
Washington, Jan. A.-Secretary Herbert
has drawn up a programme for the North
Atlantic squadron which win require the
early sailing south of tho battleshipS.
cruisers and monitors under command OF
Admiral Bunce. The fleet Is 60 go TO
Charleston, S. c.. to engage in squadron
exercises. 1t is TO be called on TO solve
an important practical war problem, the
details of which have been arranged by
Secretary Herbert. Admiral Ramsay. chief
OF the bureau of navigation, and Admiral
Bunce. The fleet is now being prepared
for its cruise All the vessels are In good
trim, or nearly so, and Admiral Bunce Is
likely to receive sailing orders within ten
days. The squadron has been idle for
some time. Some of the ships have been
undergoing repairs. The others have been
waiting for the readiness Of their sisters
Since December Admiral Bunce has been
anxious that the fleet should receive or
ders for active cruising. He has found
that hanging around the navy yards is
not good for officers or Jackets" Dock
cruising" he has said, sis demoralizing
to officers and men. Moreover, 1t is i'm
portant that all Of us should have sea
experience and practical exercise ahoat.'
Secretary Herbert has held back In the
matter owing to the fear that the sending
of naval force to southern ports might
give rise to the rumor that the object OF
the authorities was to get the home
squadron nearer Cuba. Embarrassment
in this matter being now remote, Mr..
Herbert thinks, he has decided 20 send
the squadron to Charleston. AS stated,
Admiral Bunce Is to work out a practical
war problem His fleet is to be divided
into two squadrons, one of which is TO
be called the White feet and the other
the Blue fleet. Shortly after reaching
Charleston the commanders Of the re.
spective fleets will receive their instruc-
tons. The programme win assume that
war exists, that am enemy has blockaded
Charleston, and that a number of Amer
lean vessels are inside the harbor 1t NJ
important that some, or, II possible, all
of these should escape. The White feet
will represent the home vessels, the Blue
feet the enemy. Certain rules, signals
and other prearranged features of the
programme will be made known TO the
commanders of the fleets.
At given signal Il IL to be supposed
that the enemy has taken up his position
outside Charleston and proposes to keep
all ships In the harbOr there. The business
Of the inside feet will be to get out under
cover of night, by fighting. or as 1t can.
Charleston Is perhaps not the best Amer
lean port In which to have such evolutions.
The water there Is not deep. and only
smau vessels can go IN. The size OF ships
is not important, however, in working out
peaceful war problems. Admiral Bunce
will, for the purpose OF the programme.
assume that certain vessels are large or
small, according to the requirements of
his plans. It Is proposed 10 make the con-
ditions of the problem as nearly as posi-
bic like those that would prevail In time
of war. Solid shot or she'll will not be used
of course. but the firing of many blank
charges of powder, dummy torpedoes and
similar mimic war implements will be in
dulged In. Probably week will be devoted
TO the working out of the problem, actual
minutes and hours being regarded as
hours and days. Umpires are 10 be appoint
ed by Admiral Bunce to watch maneu-
vers day and night and to report every
movement of the White and Blue fleets
These will be governed by fixed rules In
reaching decisions, and the question as 20
whether the enemy successfully blockaded
Charleston will be ruled on at the close of
the programme.
This will be the first practical work OF
the kind to which an American squadron
has been ordered Ia recent years. In the
opinion of Secretary Herbert the occasion
will be an opportunity to test the strate-
gical knowledge and professional skill of
officers and to afford TO the enlisted men
a chance Of witnessing what they may be
called on to take part in, should the coun-
try become involved In war.
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