Evening journal., 1902-09-02
SAILORS CAPTURE
TWO STATIONS
Martha'S Vineyard and Block
Island Seized
AaVV'S Night Attack Vas Not Rz-
petted No Early in The Game
Of Mimic Warfare

Newport, R. l., Sept ?. - Admiral
Higginson did not long delay after the
declaration of hostilities yesterday to
cut out work for the jacldes and ma
rines Of his fleet accomplishing in day
light. but under cover of fog. two
things that General MacArthur's army
had anticipated These were the
seizure of Martha's Vineyard and
Block Island and the capture of the
army's signal station at each place.
Last night he followed up his good
work by a demonstration in force
against the extreme western end Of
the line of defending fortifcations but
II cannot be determined until later II
he actually attempted to force his way
into Long Island Sound or simply aim
ed TO give his crews little big gun
practice and his captains the oppor-
tunity to manoeuvre within striking
distance to determine Ia location and
calibre OF the ordnance-in the forts.
The navys night attack was not ex-
pected at the western end OF the line
quite so early in the game. The theory
was heS all day, after it was known
that Higginson had secured n base on
the outlying islands. that he would
send his cruisers for a reconnaissance
against both ends of the line. and then
swing his fleet into the center or
around Newport for a sharp yet heavy
attack there manoeuvring quickly,
and then. when things became most
interesting, sail TO the westward and
make his grand effort TO force his way
into Long Island Sound. This would
have been his night attack, for II
seems almost certain that the day at
tack will be against Fort Rodman. the
eastern point.
Once last night Newport got q scare
when a message came from Port Ju-
dith that marines were being landed
there in the fog. All communication
with that point was cut OFF. Then at
1890 came an official bulletin an
nouncing the bombardments of Forts
Michi and Wright, but when Point Ju-
dith signal station was again in touch
with the central Intelligence bureau, It
was explained that the signal men
there were given n drill in saving
equipment. on supposition that the
enemy was making a landing. They
cut out the telegraph and telephone
wires, picked up their equipment and
made a record-breahng retreat then
returning. re-established the station
doing a creditable piece of work
First Attack In War Game.
New London Conn. Sept. AT just
1920 last night 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 stand
point is best stated in this official bull
letin posted at headquarters early this
morning:
Movement to pass through the Race
began at 1920 p. m Forts Niche,
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 deter
mined later by the board Of arbitra-
ton
All was quiet at army headquarters
when suddenly the reports of the big
guns was heard and General Macarthur
listened attentively. The attack was
on, but it came sooner than was ex-
pected by the major general command
ing.