The Topeka state journal., 1902-08-25

squadron to return to Rockport. Later,
by the same system of communication
established and maintained SO success
fully since Wednesday, messages were
dispatched to all points from Portland
to PrOvincetOwn ordering all the war
ships of the defending squadron to re-
turn to RockpOrt for further fnStruc-
tions. and at the same time to collect
on the way to this harbor all signal men
who had been detailed at both island
and mainland stations along the coast
In an interview on board his flag
ship, Admiral Higginson expressed his
pleasure at the real work which had
been done during the week. He COM
mended Stahele. the apprentice boy, who
was the first to report the presence OF
Commander Pillsbury's squadron. He
said he believed that to sonU extent.
the maneuvers had taught the navy its
points of weakness and strength during
q time of real action. and he believed
much good would come from the war
game"
The na1al experts are discussing the
reason for Commander Pfllsbury's ma
neuver in steaming finally to the north
ward and coming to anchor, as he did,
at a point off Magnolia. and near to
Gloucester harbOr, especially in the
light of the announcement that he had
determined to anchor in Salem harbor:
and the theory was advanced that the
acting admiral of the white squadron
either had observed that he had been
sighted % and decided to surrender hope
| unseen by Admiral Higgfnson into
Gloucester harbor.
The main theme of discussion in
Rockport last night among the seafar-
! ing people, who know the Massachu-
| setts coast as well as they know their
| own houses, was the apparent rejection
| of all strategic movements by Com
mander Pillsbury. He had not tried to
land officers or marines ashore to learn
| the enemy's movement and he had
| sailed almost to the base of the defense
| just before daylight when capture
seemed inevitable.
To an Associated Press correspondent
Admiral Higginson spoke very freely Of
| the signal service. He laid special em-
| phasis on the work of the men detailed
| to signal duty and said he intended to
| issue a commendatory letter to all men
of his command He scored the tele-
| phone service and said 1t appeared very
antiquated. He emphasized the neces-
| sity Of wireless te1egraphy and illus
| trated the benefits if ships of the navy
| were fitted with this new invention.
There would have been no need OF
the torpedo scouts" he said. .'for
| would have known at all times the ex-
! act location of my shios.
I'VE need this service badly. We are
three years behind our foreign friends
| In this respect and I hope the system
will be installed on the ships of the
navy very soon"
Commander Pillsbury was asked re.
garding his movements. and stated that
| when ne LETT PrOv1ncetoWn last Tues.
| day his fleet steamed directly to sea
running OF some forty miles abou
southeast of Cape Cod. His plan wa.
to lay off there until Saturday nigh
and then try for Salem harbor. Com
ing on the coast at night he had frs
thought of making feint with one OF
his ships in the direction of Portland
hoping to draw of Admiral Higginsof
and the big ships of his command IL
that direction. but as heavy sea wa!
running and as his ships were slow o,
speed and their bottoms foul. he de
cided not to do this, and made his ruI
direct for Salem harbor.
The only ship of Admiral Higginson',
fleet he saw during the entire periot
was the torpedo boat Barney, which h,
sighted just about the same time h.
found he was discovered by the sharp
eyed Stahele of the Kearsarge.