The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-22
WORKING OUT WAR PROBLEM
OFF THE NEW ENGLAND COAST.

Rocknort. Mass, Aug. 22.-The contrast
In the conditions prevailing of shore this
morning and those of yesterday were most
marker and those who are participating
In watching the war manpeuvres Of the
navy early today found things favorable
to the feet under Commander Piilsbury,
which is trying to make a landing on the
New England coast between Portland.
Me-, and Provincetown. Mass, while Rear
Admiral Higginson and his squadron de-
fends the seaboard.
This moruyng fog 30 thick that the
water OF the harbor could not be seen
from naval headquarters shroudod Cape
Ann and the adjacent ocean. Yesterday
for miles IN the bright clear atmosphere,
objects at sea could clearly be seen. Yes
terday IL was declared that II would be-
ussiess for Pillsbury to attempt to draw
near Today II seemed as II he could have
passed within a short distance of any
other ship without hts presence being
known.
when the sun came up this morning,
the atmosphere was as clear as IL could
be. At that hour extended observations
were made from all signal and lookout
stations and each reported that all was
we'll and that there was no sign OF the
enemy
The receipt of these early messages in
terrupted the quiet which had prevailed
at the naval headquarters here since
a m, unbroken save by one report re-
cetved from Portland at s;tS a. m This
report was like most others sent in. that
all was quiet. The report added that
scout boats were sighted outside the har-
bor.
IL wns not long after sunrise that the
fog set In. 1t was a dense cloud and at
first impenetrable to the eye, beyond
distance Of ten or dozen feet. This
caused the naval attaches In charge OF
the headquarters here some anxiety and
they at once began TO weigh the chances
that the enemy would take advantage OF
the veil OF mist TO make a rush for some
shore point
While 10 the Iandsman there seemed TO
be little drawback for the hostile COM
mander, those skilled in seagoing were
able 20 point out a number OF things
which were not wholly favorable 10 the
ships outside OF the line OF defending ves-
sells. 1t was claimed In the first place that
the danger Of landing cruiser on some
ledge or rocky shore was most import
ant factor In any commanders calcula-
ton. Then IL was claimed that the possi-
bility OF collision with other vessels
would make IL impossible for Commander
PiIisbury TO effect silent approach, for
he would have TO use fog whistles and the
alert scouts would be ruse to investigate
all such sounds.
In the third place the Uncertainty that
the conditions would continue for any
length OF time was an important consid-
GRAFTON for the fog might lift just as the
hostile ships were getting into position |
for dash to land and their presence |
would be disclosed 20 the defenders.
The latter consideration was given |
weight tust before o'clock. when there |
ID H. 49,
ing through the mist on shore A little |
later faint rays OF sunlight cast dim |
shadows among the rocks. but stu the |
fog hung heavy over the water. BY $3.50 |
the light had become stronger and the |
view extended part way out to Straits |
mouth Point and then II seemed likely |
that within short time the fog would |
disappear
Aside fro mthe fact that the Kearsarge |
at least was still at anchor on this place. |
little was actually known here as 10 the |
positions Of the various ships of Admiral /
Higginson's squadron. Scouts had been 1
reported OF Portland The cruiser Brook /
lyn skirted the end 81 Cape Cod early |
IN the forenoon and went across to Ply /
mouth Thus both ends OF tho line OF |
defence were well guarded. and as the /
naval experts here felt reasonably sure \
that the Alabama and Massachusetts
were with the kearsarRe on Straits
moySh Point the centre was thought TO
be safe.
Just before . o'clock launch with mail |
and dispatches was scrt out from shore \
20 the Kearsarge. The location OF some /
OF the ships may be learned when the |
boat returns.
The station keepsr here have been ad-
vised that the lcokout line has been ox-
tended to Sankaty Head on Nantucket |
where the wireless telegraph station r.
located. Prom there all Incoming ships
will be duerfed as Go whether or not they /
have seen any Of Commander PillsbuTy's
ghips and the results of these inveauga~
tipns Will be fgnRued 90 the scout boats
or the land stations
PUT IN FOR COAL.
Salem. Mass. Aug 2-rhe torpedo
boats Bagiey and Biddle OF ADMIRAL iiig-
early today for fued- Each vessel took
on B tons Of soft coal and then left TO ]