The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-02
l DlsH BY THE NAVY. Unexpectedly Early Move to Get Into Long
 Island Sound.
ATTEMPT TO PASS THE RACE
THE ARMY CLAIMS 4 SUBSTAN-
 THAI VICTORY.
Official Statement That the Ships Enter- ing Were Apparently Put Out of ActtOn-Admiral Higginson Turns Back-Hfs Fleet Divided and au Att tack on Newport Hourly Expected.

A@0SAA-AAAo AuoS DANAuptA 1hu 4A
 tack on Newport Hourly Expected.
 New London. Sept. i. The opinion prevailed early this evening that the attacking fleet would not attempt a passage before midnight, although the army officers had congnizance of their whereabouts and knew the first ship under command of Admiral Higginson would in all probability come through The Race before daylight, but not until the early morning hours. But it is the unexpected that happens in war. > At just 10:20 tonight the big guns of Forts Wright, Terry and Michie belched forth almost simultaneously and there was no longer doubt that the first attack in the war game was in effect. For an hour the cannonading continued and the result, from the army standpoint. is best stated in this official bulletin post ed at headquarters at 1920:
 Movement to pass through the Race began at 10:20 D. m. Forts Michie Wright and Terry engaged fifty min- utes. Apparently the ships entering have been put out of action by points scored by the army guns''
 The result, however, will be determin- ed later by the board of arbitration.
 All was quiet at headquarters when suddenly the reports of the big guns were heard and General Macarthur listened attentively. The attack was on but it came sooner than was expect ed by the major general commanding.
 For the moment all communication with the forts by telegraph and tele- phone was cut off. the artillerymen be- ing engaged with the enemy and all the wiring at the forts were being util- iZed in the firing of the big guns. Mac Arthur could stand It no longer. He ordered his yacht Kanawaha and with Colonel Berry, chief of staff. proceeded to Fort Wright to be on the battle ground. He could not attend to office work while the big guns were booming in the distant forts in firing at the in coming navy. Far out in The Race the eight ships commanded by Admiral Higginson were sighted and just as soon as they came within firing distance firing began and there was quick re- ,sponse from the enemy.
 It seems that the fleet of the enemy has been divided. the balance under command of Cough1an not being seen during the first attack. It was thought at headquarters that Coughlan had talk en his fleet toward Nara gansett Bay and would make an attack on Newport, or that he would follow Higginson and make an effort to get by the forts in the New London district, or that a com bined attempt would be made.
 Higsinson came from the east to The Race and there the fight commenced with all the realism, as far as possible. with actual war. For the first forty minutes the firing was continuous, the aim of the soldiers being aided by the searchlights, which worked to the fuil- est satisfaction. The ships had lights out and evidently Higginson thought he could get nearer the forts, within the safety line, before the discovery was made but in this case he was foiled, SO the army officers claim, and his ships including the Massachusetts and h. diana were put out of action. He kept the army men guessing as to what he would no next. but he manoeuvred the fleet most masterly and hurried to the westward, cut of the firing zone. Just exactly where the fleet went was not known definitely at headquarters, but should the enemy attempt to go through Plum Gut there may be something be-