The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-21

The war game began at noon. when
Admiral Higginson moved his Meet out
OF the IIarbor OF Refuge here and went
IN search of the enemy. AT night the
nicket line was established. and mimic
war without the burning OF gunpowder
may begin at any moment. The cohoi-
lions. however, make II appear certain
that Commander Pillsbury will not at
tempt TO land until at least tonight In
fact his attack is expected then.
The question which confronted Admiral
HUTCHINSON as he studied his maps on the
Kearsarge was the location ana hour Oh
attack OF the opposing squadron He mas
his naval intelligence bureau connectihs
ali points along the shore from Portland
10 proyincetown, and the central point
is In a shed on the shore or the ifaipor
OF Refuge. BY telephone communication
the fagships can be Informed OF tne APP
,arance ~ any strange vessel ON the
coast and in such an event ne can
quickly assemble his fleet, proceed 10
that point and endeavor TO crush the enc
nv All was activity on the deiehoihs
squadron today, although last night was
one Of the most beautiful OF the summer
almost making II certain tnat Cohmah-
der P,lsbury would not be so rash az 10
attemnt 10 run into tho coast when his
craft could be seen miles away. The fact
that the manoeuvres are wholly mimicry
anduhat there Will be no tragedy ana no
destruction OF, craft does not make ~ 10
those engaged therein any less matter
Of grave Importance and seriousness ~
Is the carrying out OF less one .ras ,ss naas
been taught under the much quoted
maxim OF "In time Of peace prepare for
war"
Commander Pillsbury's feet, which will
be known as the white squadron. sailed
from Provincetown On Monday ana Is
now al sea. Its present whereabouts Is
unknown to Admiral Higginson. whose
force will be known as the blue squad
ron.
II was understood that the latter fleet,
which made its appearance I'm this har-
bor last Saturday, would under The rules
OF the contest remain here until after
noon today. At any time efter that houl
Admiral Higginson was free 10 sail In
search OF the enemy
IL will be the object OF the white squad
ron to effect a landing at some unforu-
fed place along the coast as soon as pos
sible after this fixed hour and occupy the
position without interference for at least
six hours. IL Is the duty OF the DEFEND
ing feet TO prevent the Invaders from ac
complishing their purpose
III Admiral BigginSon nnuSs tne noStllc
vessels before they can get within strik-
ing distance, the Victory is with him,
since IL Il assumed that his feet Ia equal
I'm power to the enemy. II Capt Pills
bury. with his ships, should elude Hig-
slnson and land his force. he must occu-
nv the place he has captured and be free
from discovery during the six hour period
agreed upon IL he II located before this
time limit expires II rs scored as defeat
for him
The first series Of manoeuvres Is pure
ly technical, and there will he no sem
blnce Of an engagement between the
ships No shots viii be fired. except pos
sibiy upon the discovery Of the hostile
feet at night when the firing would be
entirely for signalling purposes. and to
announce the discovery Of Capt Pills
bury's squadron.
Commander Pillsbury's feet includes
the auxiliary cruisers Prairie. Panther
and Supply.
Rear Admiral Higginson has his flag
shin The Kearsarge. and two other bat
tleships. the Massachusetts, and the Ala
barna. and the cruisers Brooklyn, Olympia
and Montgomery, besides seven torpedo
boats. two unarmed gunboats. two tugs
ana the converted yachts Maynower and
Gloucester
The torpedo boats are the shubrick.
Decatur destroyer. Thornton. Stockton.
Bagiey, Barney and Biddle. The gun
boats are the Scorpion and the Peoria
ond the tugs are the Nina and the Ley