The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-08-25
Land Forces in Charge of
General Macarthur.
PLANS CAREFULLY GUARDED
Use Of War Balloons and Other Signal
Corps Instruments to Be Fully Test
ed-Mimic Contest Begins at Long
Island.

The defeat OF Commander Pills5ury in
his attempt to enter Salem Harbor and
hold It against the ships OF Admiral
Hfgginson's feet was anticipated by ma
val officers here. Commander Pillsbury.
it Is generally believed, was too severe
" handicapped by the limited area of
the defending line, the slownsss of his
ships, and the small number OF ports,
which under the rules, he was permitted
10 enter
Interest now centers in the joint man
euvers, il which the army and navy
win take part, and which are 70 begin
Friday. August %. The army and navy
VIII meet IN mimic combat at the east
ern entrance CT Long Island Sound
Test Kew York Defenses.
For the first time since the country
became a recognized military power, the
modern equipment Of It's offensive and
defensive forces viii be tested under
actual war conditions. Preparations for
the joint maneuvers have been carried
on by the War and Navy Departments
for the past six months, but today the
whole matter has passed beyond the
control OF the departments and is IN che
hands Of the Major General Macarthur
for the army and Rear Admiral Higgin-
son for the navy. This viii be 2 week
Of the most far-reaching Importance and
Interest 10 both OF the services. The
results OF the maneUYeTs are expected
TO show in the most conclusive manner
whether or not the defenses OF New
York are adequate and how efficient are
the ships Of war composing the North
Atlantic Squadron
Exactly what are the best features
OF the war problem worked out by the
general boar dof the navy is not known
outside of the officers in command, but
1t is expected that the method CT at
tack to be employed By Admiral Eiiggin
son will be surprise 70 the army. The
greatest care has been taken 10 prevent
the plan from reaching the army and not
until after the completion Of the war
game VIII General Macarthur be cog
infant of the scheme used by his ma val
opponents TO force an entrance past the
forts guarding Long island Sound
All Guns to Be Used.
It has often been claimed that the de-
lenses Of New York are inefficient, but.
according to military officers Of promin-
ence, such is not the case Ore Of the
primary objects OF the coming maneuvers
IS 10 test the truth OF falsity OF their
assertion. General Randolph, chief OF
artillery and q member Of the maaeuver
staff OF General Macarthur. has directed
that every gun OF no matter what
caiiber, be fred at least once during the
progress Of the maaeuveTs- Every part
OF the intricate mechanism OF the large
10 and I2-inch guns viii be tested under
actual service conditions. The maneuv-
ers are expected TO settle once and for
ali the long dispute over the usefulness
OF the range and position finder now in
use al all Of the seacOast forts.
To Test War Balloons.
The many new inventions and discev-
cries adopted by the Signal Corps are
also to be given a trial during the man
euvers Of this and next week. The war
balloon viii figure very prominently by
heralding to the keen-eyed artillery Of
hcers the approach OF the enemy. For
miles along the coast IN the vicinity II
Long Island a constant watch will be
maintained by the Signal Corps for the
approach OF the formidable feet under
Rear Admiral Higginson- Long distance
telephones. constructed for the sole pur-
pose Of the maleUTers. viii be in con-
tinuous use; telegraph wires viii fash
TO each commanding officer at the va
Tfous forts early Intelligence OF q sus-
pieious vessel, and balloons of huge Ill
mansions Will hang over the sea all
along the disputed coast line