The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-24
ADMIRAL .HIGGINSoN SAILS TO
INTERCEPT COMMANDER
PlLLSBURY
BELIEF THAT THE LATTEl
is ABOUT TO 9T RIKE
Rumors Of the Enemy's Vessels Being
Sighted Excite and Quicken the
Energies of the Men on the Ships
Guarding the Atlantic Coast in the
Maneuvers.

ROCKPORT, Mass, Aug. 23.-The
line of battleships of Admiral Higgin-
sons fleet, which are defending a
lengthy strip of New England coast
from a foreign fleet, put to sea under
urgent orders at $3.50 tonight, indi-
eating that some news had been re-
ceived Of Commander PiIlsbury. The
weather conditions at 10 o'clock were
slightly in favor of the enemy, the sky
being overcast and an easterly blow
prevailing.
Many dispatches came during the
early evening, the tenor of them indi-
eating that the white squadron was
not far at sea off the Isles of Shoals,
off Portsmouth.
At 10 o'clock tonight the cruiser
Olympia, was inside the islands, the
Brooklyn was cruising to seaward, off
| the shore and the Decatur was patrol
ing Portsmouth harbor.
With Admiral Higginson's battle
ships bound northward it would ap-
pear that Commander -Pillsbury is sex-
pected to make his run in toward land
tonight, off either Portsmouth or York
harbor.
Enemy Reported Off Rockiand.
This afternoon it was understood
that one of Commander Pillsbury's
cruisers had been reported off Rock
land, Me. This is long distance be-
.yond the northerly limit of the block
ade line, but it was suggested that
either the enemy was making a feint
to draw a preponderance OF fighting
strength ofAdmiral Higginson's fleet to
Portland, so that quick counter dash
could be made into Massachusetts bay.
or else Commander Pillsbury desired
information as to the blockade condi-
tions.
The blue squadron officers are GER
tain that the enemy has its own intel
hgence bureau along the shore and
mas landed officers at Rockland, Me-,
and Provincetown, Mass.
Suspicious signals at Cape Porpoise.
on the Isles of Shoals, and even here
at Rockport indicate that the block
ade-running plan has not been entire
UP drawn up at sea.
Torpedo Boats PatroIinq.
A signalman of the blue squadron
at IL o'clock tonight reported to the
haVal nase ohcer that he sighted three
large vessels going to the northWard
at a fourteen-knot clip, but they were
too far off shore for him to identify
them. 1t is presumed here that Ad-
mlral Higginson made a aide sweep
on Massachusetts, bay before running
up the coast
Soon after IL two torpedo boats ap-
peared off here, and it is learned that
they were detached from the battle
ships and ordered back to patrol in
this neighborhood
Many of the naval officers have con-
jectured that Commander Pillsbury
would delay his attack as long as pos
S1bIe, and then by strategy endeayor
to strike the naval base
The return of the torpedo boats did
not surprise those who were keeping
close watch on the situation here
Something appeared to have gone
wrong with the line of communication
during the evening, rather perplexIng
the naval intelligence officers. The
wires at several points are reported
crossed or cut, and some messages re-
ce1Ved were rather mixed.
An extraordinary order was being
made at a late hour to determine If the
breaks along the line were from nat
ural causes or the result of the enemy's
plans. In view of what had happened
In the central station here there is now
some wonderment If Admiral Higgin-
son will find the white squadron al the
north end of his line.
On a War Footing.
FISHERS ISLAND, N. Y, Aug. 2S.-
This island, which is expected to be the
center of the military and naval ma
neuvers Of the near future. is already
on a war footing. A government CEN
sorship has been established over wire
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