Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-08-19
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
ASSEMBLING FOR THE SHAM
BATTLE.

BATTLE.
Gloucester, Mass, Aug. 19.-The North
Atlantic squadron of Rear Admiral Hig-
ginson, anchored off Rockport, was aug
mented this morning by the arrival of
seven torpedo boats. 1t is supposed that
they will be used to prevent the imag-
mary enemy from getting through the
naval line. Despite all the secrecy 1t Is
said on good authority that the manGu-
yres will begin Wednesday. The
enemey's ships, under Captain Pillsbury,
will try to pass Admiral Higginson's
fleet, and attack New York. Captain
Pillsbury's vessels are the cruisers
Prairie and Panther and the supply ship
Supply. The Prairie and Panther are
reported to be at Plymouth. When
last heard from, with certainty they
were coaling at East Lamolne, Maine.
Washington, d. c., August 10
For DAYS past officials of the bureau of
navigation have been busy planning
the campaign against the mysterious
"enemy" Who is scheduled to appear off
the New England coast tomorrow or next
day. Everything is believed to be in
readiness now for this reception. Scout
ships are at strategic points along the
coast waiting the signal to go for him.
This signal is expected tomorrow in the
shape of a telegram that he has been
'sighted" at a certain latitude and
longitude within days sail from the
shore. The heavier vessels of the North
Atlantic squadron have been so dis
posed of as to prevent his striking
the coast should he get past the
scout ships Undecided. This little
var game, which precedes the gen
eral Joint manoeuvres of the army and
navy beginning next week, is called the
naval search problem" The "ene-
my's" squadron, in command of Capt.
Pillsbury, consists of the Prairie, his
flagship; the Panther and the Supply,
auxiliary cruisers. In figuring up the
results of the game they are to be taken
as representing much larger force. II
Commander Pillsbury can succeed in
reaching the coast without being dis
covered or without being opposed by a
force larger than that which he is supposed
to represent, he wins. Otherwise Rear
Admiral Higginson, in command of the
defending force, the North Atlantic
squadron, wins. 1t will be bloodless,
noiseless, war from start to finish. Guns
will be trained, but not fired. There
was some talk of using blank charges,
but the expenditure Of powder that this
would require was not thought to be
necessary to the solution of the problem.
There is activity also at army head
quarters, in preparation for the second
war, wherein the entire North Atlantic
squadron will make a mimic attack or
the defenses of New York harbor. The
defending force in this case will be the
| army under command of General Mac
Arthur. In this war the signal corp:
and the artillery will play the most i'm
portant parts. 1t will be the duty of the
former to detect the approach of thu
'enemy's" ships and communicate thu
news to threatened points as speedily Al
: possible Balloons, wireless telegraphy
and other improved methods will be EN-
ployed. Upon the artillery rests the
/ burden Of preventing the approach o
the ships. Should they get past thu
forts without technically being put on
, of action, then the cavalry and infantr!
will endeavor to prevent the sailormeI
p from landing and emplacing their guns
Army officers on the ships and navy of
ficers at the forts will act as the judges 0
! the contest. 1t is presumed that the at
tack will be made at night or early il
the morning, about September l.