Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-25
SCURRY
IN ANXIETY
TO SEA-
COAST DEFENDERS RUSH OUT
WHEN SIGNAL Is GIVEN THAT
MAY MEAN ENEMY" IS MAX
ING RUN IN FOR THE SHORE.

ROCKPoRT, Mass. Aug. 2S.-The line
Of battleships of Admiral HigginsOn's
feet, which are defending a lengthy strip
of New England coast from a foreign
fleet, put to sea under4 urgent orders al
$3.50 tonight, indicating that some news
has been received Of Fommander Pills
bury
The weather conditions at 10 o'clock to-
night were slightly IN favor or the
enemy" the sky being overcast and az
easterly blow prevailing
Many dispatches came during the early
evening, the tenor of them indicating that
the white squadron was not far az sea
off the Isles of Shoals. on Portsmouth.
AT 10 o'clock the cruiser Olympia was in
side the islands, the Brooklyn was cruis-
ing to seward off there and the Decatur
was patrolling Portsmouth harbor
With Admiral Higginson's battleships
bound northward, 1t would appear that
Commander Pillsbury Is expected to make
his run in toward land tonight, off either
Portsmouth or York harb6rs,
This afternoon It was understood that
one of Commander Pfi1sbury's cruisers
had been reported Off Rockland. Me. This
is a long distance beyond the northerly
limit of the blockade line, but it was sug-
'gested that either the enemy was maxi
ing a feint to draw preponderance Of
fighting strength of Admiral Higginson's
fleet to Portland so a counter dash could
be made into Massachusetts, bay, or else
Commander Pillsbury desired Information
as to the blockade conditions.
The squadron officers are certain that
the enemy" has it's own intelligence bu-
reau along the shore, and has landed Of
flcers at Rockland. Me-, and Province
town, Mass. m
Suspicious signals at Cape Porpoise, on
the Isles of Shoals, and even here at
Rockport. indicate that the blockade rum
ming plan has not been entirely drawn up
at sea.
During the afternoon the trial Of the
Maine engaged the attention Of both the
sailors and the landsmen on the battle
ships.
The enemy" was not forgotten by any
means, but eyes OF botll men and officers
were kept on the horizon as the Maine
went by on its speed tfial.
About this time one Of the torpedo boats
under the lee of the Ksarsarge received
orders to be transmitted 70 the Brooklyn.
On receipt OF these orders. both crssers
went in a northerly direction. A-dispatch
had reached Admiral Higginson that one
Of the enemys ships haG been sighted on
Roekland. Maine, and 1T t&as to that point
that the cruisers set sails
A signal man Of the blue squadron at IL
o'clock tonight reported to the naval base
officers that he sighted three large ves-
sells GOING TO the az q 4a-AAloN
clip, but they were too far off shore for
him 10 identify them. 1t is presumed here
that Admiral Higginson made wide
sweep on Massachusetts, bay before run
ming up the coast.
Soon after IL o'clock two torpedo boats
appeared off here and 1t is learned that
they were detached from the battleships
and ordered back to patrol in this neigh
borhood.
Many of the naval officers have conjec-
tured that Commander Pillsbury would
delay his attack as long as possible and
then by strategy endeavor to strike the
nine vessels. The return of the torpedo
boats did not surprise those who are keep
ing close watch on the situation here.
Something appeared to have gone wror&
with the line of communication during the
evening, rather perplexing the naval in
telligence officers. The wires at several
points are reported crossed or cut, and
some messages received were rather
mixed.
An extraordinary effort was being made
at late hour TO determine If the breaks
along the line were from natural causes
or are the result of the 'enemy's'' plans
There is no wonder If Admiral Higginson
will find the white squadron at the north
end of his line.
Cape Cod has not been sighting the
scouts of the blue squadron tonight, as
the weather is very hazy. Pasque island
reported that two coaling tenders were
off Menemsha Blight, Vineyard sound
These craft are simply there in readiness
to coal the fleet before the second ma
noeuvers.