The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-16
Navy viii Not Be Caught Nap
ping as In the Spanish War.
SHIPS TO Be ALWAYS READY
To Meet Aay Enemy = Orders 10 Fleet Cap
talns and Others VIII Keep
Them Alert.

Washington. June Ie-The navy depart
ment does not intend to be caught nap
ping as II was when the war with
Spain was declared. IL Is proposed not
only to place the ships OF the navy in the
highest state OF efficiency. that they
may be Immediately ready for active SER
vice should the emergency arise. but to pre-
pare for defence against the invasion Of
any hostile foreign fleet into the ports
OF the United States.
Two orders which have been issued by
the navy department reveal this impor-
tant fact and disclose what important
work the general board OF the navy has
been engaged upon during the past sew
eral months. These orders read:
Rear Admiral p. III. Cooper placed In
charge OF the preparations for war or
the district extending from Chatham
Light, Cape Cod, to Barnegat Light. New
Jersey.
Rear Admiral l.. Kempff to San
Francisco. Cal. and take charge OF the
preparation for war OF the Pacific coast
district. extending from Puget Sound TO
the Mexican border"
A general scheme for defensive meas
ures has been mapped out by the general
naval board, the details OF which have
been left to these officers 10 work out.
The coast line. according TO this general
plan. Is 10 be divided into four districts
for naval defence, just as was done dur
ing the Spanish war.
One district will comprise the whole
Pacific coast, while the others will cover
the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts. The
two TO which officers have been assigned
will be used as models. They will be
thoroughly organized before attention is
given TO the others.
In addition a thorough understanding
will be reached with the different states
whereby the naval militia and the naval
reserves will be utilized, and should war
be declared against the United States
these forces will know In advance what
Is expected OF them.
II Is also contemplated that the army
cooperate with the other branches OF
the service. since the war department con-
trolls the coast defences. the work OF
which must necessarily be In perfect har-
mony with the operations OF the water
forces.
Already military authorities have ex-
pressed n desire for full cooperation with
the navy. Captain Randolph, chief of
ticipation of the army and navy I'm the
mimic war that is to be waged of Long
Island Sound during the summer.
Rear Admiral Kempff will do on the
Pacific coast what Admiral Cooper Is TO
do on the Atlantic. OF course the de-
tails Of the scheme for defence will be
kept secret, as II is not for an enemy TO
know what preparations have been made
should he contemplate an attack on
American shores
The general board OF the navy was or
ganized by Secretary Long. with Admiral
Dewey as president. The board has been
at work ever since preparing plans for
the use OF the sea forces In time OF war.
The plan for defence was evolved by the
board, and much OF the credit for its
execution at this time is due 10 the
board.
Admiral Dewey has been one OF the
most enthusiastic members in mapping
out work for the navy. II is within the
scope OF the boards functions TO prepare
plans OF campaign and TO serve as a STRAIT
egy board in general.
In addition TO the preparation OF plans
for defence, the board Is preparing a
program for the part the navy Is 20 take
In the coming war game of New York
a couple of months hence. and later will
arrange a program for the winter man.
oeuvres. in which the North Atlantic.
the South Atlantic and the European
squadrons will engage in January and
February.
Problems OF war which the board has
been studying Will be given 10 the fleet
this winter 10 work out thus determin-
ing their value on suggesting something
OF more importance.
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Moody are heartily I'm accord with the
idea of preparing for trouble before
trouble comes