The sun., 1901-07-28


ss.,- ,,-,,sssrr ar8 - dertroysru ana ID q
-. c,uie.r, apd fftsen destroyer; 4 Flsse
~, hsvs two Amil.r spscisl suuedrons.
r,.d. mn ~ Ave cr,,laers and siaht do
.s,cv.-. srd 2 a. an cruiscrs. twelve
a-.,r.y.,. scA .lx tornedo boats. B Fleet
nm m. cor.,.t ~ sevsntv vesseh of all
ss,.- ana I r,eet Of sixtv -sir yessels. The
.h.rsc,s, ~ ths battIeshina and cruisers
n X y,eet 4 said to make that feet a.
rov.rsul A n. onnonent.
Ths General riles Of the manuuvres differ
IN ,nnortant respects from those hereto
sc,s is,d down. In the f,r,t place. the op-
poeins deets are not necessarily to receive
NOTICE that hostilities are begun at the
ssme time. They are now at sea. b Fleet
IN the North Sea. north OF latitude 50. and
Fleet in the Atlantic. west Of Scotland.
and to the north of the Same line; all ves-
seh larger than destroyers ooaled for the
last time last Sunday. At some time after
midnleht tonight they viii get word
that hostilities are begun, and then viii
cross the line of the lifty sixth parallel. and
proceed to work out the problem.
Tho prohibition Of coaling opens q new
element in the riddle set to the two COM
mandey. that Of coal strategy The
nearest coaling stations are far distant
from the fleets. and tho war viii begin
with both enemies near the end Of their
coal supplies. There h no time limit for
the maneuvres this year. Last year one OF
the Admirals ended the operations with
less than one hundred tons OF coal In his
flasship's bunkers: this year he will not dare
not tell how many days he win be at sea.
This important element Of coal supply will
be introduced into man1uvres for the flrst
time this year
While vessels Of B Fleet may coal at
Portland. Portsmouth and Plymouth, and
those Of X Fleet at Queenstown they will
not be able to come and 60 at will, but
ton by the port authorities. and must
prove their friendly character each time
they enter port. Special examination
vessels have been detailed at each place.
Besides, these four ports are liable to at
tack by the enemy. ~ coaling and re-
pairs will be done at war speed. With the
possibility OF attack ever present. The land
forces at each place will resist an attack.
but no rules Of umpiring will govern en-
gagements between ships and forts
Nor will there be rules for umpiring this
year. such a. formerly defined the condl-
tions under which vessels were considered
out Of action. Sd,,adrops may meet. aud
engage sauadrons, as they would In actual
war: that Is the commander OF a larger
squadron will not be victor simply because
Of his numerical superiority. The hostile
fleets or ships will engage. When either
side thinks he has defeated the other In an
engagement. he Is to signal Propose
reference to umpires:- II the other side
agrees. the action ceases. II he does not
agree the action may continue for rea-
sonable time,- after which the senior on
Ger present will order It to end and select
the vessels which are to remain out Of action
until the decision Of the umpires is made.
He Ia to select. as far as possible, equally
from both Sides because until that de-
cision IL made, the actual victor will not be
known. II. however. a ship is manifestly
beaten or torpedosd. the senior officer
may order 1t out Of action without de-
tachine a vessel Of the opposite side.
There are to be four umpiree. who win be
stationed at the Admiralty In London; q
Vice Admiral and two Rear Admir- ais. and
a Lieutenant General Of the Army. for