The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-03
MIMIC WARFARE ON
THE CARIBBEAN SEA
Higginson Fleet is Superior TO
That of Admiral Sumner
BUT LATTER is CONFIDENT
With His Officers He Has Mapped Out
a Plan Which Is Believed to BE
Certain of Success-Fight-
Ing Is Fierce.

United States Flagship Iowa, Port Of
Spain, Island of Trinidad, December a.
Despite the superiority Of Admiral Hlg-
ginson's squadron over that OF Admiral
Sumner, the latter is confident that he
will be able during the coming naval war
game to seize without disaster the fort to
form a base of operations against Cuna
and the American port. As result of
conferences between Admiral Sumner and
Crowningshield and the coming Of the
vessels under their command most Of
whom have taken part in the war col
lege games with the Caribbean sea as
the scene of operations, a plan has been
adopted which 1t is asserted by those who
know is practically certain Of success.
The problem requires, Admiral Sumner
to fortify port with mines and guns, to
do which he is allowed six hours. Should
Admiral Higginson appear with super
Tor force before the expiration of that
time Admiral Sumner will be considered
as defeated.
To determine the strength Of the OPP
posing squadrons the department has
given a battleship the value of twenty
points, a heavily protected cruiser eight
points, a smaller protected cruiser five
points, a gunboat three points and tor
pedo boat or tender one point each. 1t is
estimated that Admiral Higginson has
126 points and Admiral Sumner 66 points
II the estimate is correct it is claimed 1t
would be folly for Admiral Higginson to
divide his battleship squadron number
ing eighty points, and that they must
act together so that on hearing of the
arrival of Admiral Summers squadron
he can hasten to attack it. Some officers
believe that Admiral Higginson will
separate his battleships into two divi-
sions and form a division OF fast cruis-
ers, which will hold the balance Of pow
er and reinforce the battleships.
1t is believed here that Admiral Hig-
ginson has arranged with the United
States consuls and weather observers in
the West Indies to report the appearance
of Admiral Summers vessels and has
made telephone and Geographic arrange
ments in Porto Rico SO that If port Of
that island is attacked he will be i'm
mediately advised.
The distance from Trinidad to the
nearest base is $40 miles in a straight
line, and TOO miles by the outside course.
Leaving Trinidad on Friday morning Ad-
miral Sumner cannot possibly reach his
destination pe1ore SUNDAY morning anu
he may proceed slowly and arrive Mon
day or even later. All lights will be out
at night except red lamp aft to serve
as a guide for the vessel following.
It is Permissible to hoist neutral colors
in order to drive the scouts of Admiral
Higginson's squadron. Admiral Sumner
is allowed to drop his slow ships, though
he sacrifices points by so doing. and as
his squadron is inferior to that of Admi-
raj Higgirson, Admiral Sumner possibly
will prefer to hold his vessels together
as long as possible and be prepared to de-
tach them on any attempt being made to
entice them away on Admiral Higgin-
sons fighting him.
The squadron will be ready to sail to-
morrow.