The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-22
WAR[|KE LOOK ALONG
NEW ENGLAND COAST.

az would be In the case OF war. the tele-
phone and telegraph lines being tempo
rarily extended from the regular service
lines by men OF the squadron. The station
Is in charge OF Ensign Berry and Mid
shipman Fitzpatrick who are relieved at
intervals by Chaplain w T. Helms OF the
Kearsarge the latter paying considerable
attention to the Typographical outlook In
this vicinity.
is THE ENEMY DISGUISED?
With the first edge OF expectation dulled
by a night OF hard work most OF the
officers and men began to work up their
own theories Of the locality OF Com
mander Pillsbury and his squadron. The
general opinion seemed TO be that he had
probably run of shore for day, and
then lay 10 with the hope that the wealth
er would become overcast and give ninf
an opportunity to run In under the lee OF
land near the place which he had plan
ned as the point OF debarkation.
There was much speculation whether he
would attempt TO disguise his vessels by
painting them color not easily seen on
a dark night. OF altering the rig of the
craft above deck and with firing with an
thracite coal TO preclude the possibility
OF discovery, through means Of smoke on
the horizon.
Anticipating that Commander Pillsbury
would resort TO all possible means OF dis
guising his three cruisers. the powerful
glasses on the bridges OF the defending
squadron were constantly sweeping the
horizon from north TO south. and every
vessel which came within range was
scrutinized until there was no doubt as
TO its Identity.
DEFENDERS ARE CONFIDENT.
That Commander Pilisbury will win is
not for a minute believed by the defend
ers. for Admiral Higginson has so dispos-
ed his vessels that he can assemble them
within three hours at any given point or
at least assemble a force exceeding so per
cent Of his own lighting force, to crush
the enemy which is OF half bis own
strength. That his signal system Is a
good one. was shown last night when he
sent messages to Bakers Island in Salem
harbor and Plum island. near the mouth
OF the Merrimac There was no Jaw In the
line OF communication. the messages be-
ing transmitted TO the landing points TO
the island and then being signaled by
torch TO hesignal men on the island. To-
day similar tests were made at different
times along the shore to points OF obser-
walton where the signals were by flags
commonly called 'wig-vagging."
Last night the Massachusetts was
steaming down the coast to the north OF
Cape Ann when she was sighted on shore
and given the signal "All we'll; no sign
OF enemy"
THE ENEMY's SPIES.
During the forenoon considerable spice
to the land operations was introduced by
the supposed discovery Of spies who had
key 10 the line OF communication II not to
the signals In use. The defenders imme-
diately theorized that Commander PiIls-
bury had himself built up a system Of
land communication by means OF spies at
main points. these spies at the proper
time to give him information as TO the
disposition of Admiral Higginson's fleet
Just how Commander Pillsbury will
with his own lookouts is
not known to the defenders who are per-
fectly willing to let him take the risk
with the hope OF their detecting his ap-
proach. II Is known that some mysterious
signals had been exchanged on Cape Cod
and at several other points, but by whom
the signals were received does not ap-
peat
At IL o'clock this morning a number
of marines were landed from the Kear-
sarge. and they said that the Gloucester
had been dispatched south. All the fore
noon the battleships were moving about
Massachusetts, bay while the cruisers
were serving as an outer line Of defence
for number OF miles of shore
ATMOSPHERE OF WAR.
Not for a moment during the afternoon
did the three battleships give up their
watchfulness. One effect Of the con-
tinued absence OF news Of Commander
Pillsbury. which seemed entirely natural
under existing circumstances, was the
growing high tension or the ships OF
war
Something of the fro, energy and de-
termination which would naturally OBJ
tain were the conditions OF the day a
stern reality, took possession OF the men
on the three battleships. where orders
were quickly given and quite speedily
obeyed.
To the watchers on shore IL seemed Of
ten that the monstrous vessels were to
dash from the harbor, for the dense
masses OF black smoke poured almost In
cessantly from the stacks. This was
however. a necessary sequence of keep
ing the fires primed for quick use
The noon hour had not long passed be-
fore ominous clouds grouped In the sky.
hiding all the blue OF the morning and
filled with rain. At the same time the
sen lost Its calm and the fresh winds
KICKED UP uncomfortabfy large troughs
In spite Of the chill in the air and the
frown upon the heavens. the waves,
breaking upon the edge Of Straitsmouth
Point. made n pretty picture. and to the
marines. the apprentice boys and the of
icers abocEZi the ships II served to- re-
lieve the mind from the prevailing tense
ness OF the war atmosphere.
SCENE OFF CAPE COD.
Within an hour the sea became what
might be called surly. Then rain fell. at
first moderately, then suddenly In q
force torrent The pleasure craft. bent
upon seeing the defending squadron,
trimmed their sheets and brought about
on the homeward tack; the points OF
vantage on the nnd were quickly de-
serted and the white hulled creatures
were left OF Thatchers Island. silent
company. each for the other. under
dome which could scarcely have present
ed n more ominous or n more significant
appearance.