Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-03
HER VISIT WAS a BoMBsHELL.
Duchess of Marlborough Surprise
n.Iiostiie" Naval officers.

e.hOSflic" Naval OlHccrS.
WASHINGTON. Sept 2-':It looks as
though war was a gentle social pastime
instead of what General Sherman describ-
ed it, remarked a naval officer to-day,
regarding Rear Admiral I1igginson's ac-
ton in receiving the Duchess oof N1arl-
borough, Colonel Sanger, Assistant Sec
rotary of War, and a party of friends
aboard the hostile Red Fleet as it hover
cd off the coast prepared to strike at the
Long Island Sounds shore defenses yes
terday.
If the hostile fleets command had
swung a 13-inch gun Washingtonward and
dropped a shell into the navy department
it would have aroused little more COM
ment than the invitation which Rear Adj
miral Higginson is reported to have eX-
tended Her Grace against the advice of
the commanding officers of the ships
the Red Fleet, who straiShtforwardly eN-
pressed their disapproval OF relaxing the
tensity Of the war game.
Naturally enough, officers in Washing
ton are unwilling to make any public crit
icism of their superior. Rear Admiral
Higginson. Acting Secretary Darling is
waiting to be advised of the details.
NOT A .POPGUN VARIETY.
When plans was first made for the war
game Secretary Moody talked freely Of
the intentions of the navy. Secretary
Root said some plain things about the
army's share. The heads of the two de-
partments said they wished it thoroughly
understood that the combined manoeuv-
res were to be far above the popgun va
riety.
1.-THE conditions of war are to be 81
muitated to as great a degree as posi-
ble,' said Cecretary Moody. And over
on the other side of the State, War and
Navy Building Secretary Root said that
was his opinion also.
There was much talk of secrecy. News
aper men were to be bprred from all in
formation bearing on the manoeuvres-
When a flood Of correspondents made re-
quests of the Secretary of the Navy to be
allowed places on the fleet they We're
told that there was not room and the
press representation would be restricted
to a limited number of reporters for
press associations. No one was to be al
lowed on the fleet unless there was a
good reason for such action.
Some one suggested that the ma
noeuvres mad been planned for the coast
off Newport so that the world of fashion
would have an easy view. This was
promptly denied the manoeuvres district
it was emphatically stated was located
there, because the army wanted those
Notifications tested.
Il see the finish Of any recommends
ton for manoeuvre appropriation sent
to congress next season., remarked ma
val officer to-day. about the time that
item comes up in the naval appropriation
bill I can see Uncle Joe Cannon get.
ting or his fee. He's the chairman of the
appropriations committee, you know.
9. can imagine the flood of sarcasm he
would pour out about the dilettante man
ner OF conducting the warfare. OF course
it rests within the discretion of Rear Adj
n1ira1 Ejc-crin IA
board he likes. but a suspicion of the
theoretical condition of war. even though
yesterday was within the period of prep
aration,' does not seem harmonious with
the spirit in which the rnanoeuvres We're
planned"
Colonel Sanger is to all intents and
purposes the Secretary of the War,
Mr.. Root being absent in Europe Even
If war had not actually begun, the COM
mander of really hostile fleet off the coast
would scarcely received aboard the Sec
rotary of War of the United States
E Although The Duchess of MARLBOROUGH
probably had no object except to satisfy
her curiosity in visiting the fleet she is
a British subject. Before the war game
began strict rules We're draughted by
both army and navy that foreign alta ches
should be barred from the Notifications
and fleet.
II the Duke of MARLBOROUGH had been
in this country ana requested permission
to board the fleet it would not have been
granted him.