New-York tribune., 1902-08-28
GETTING TO A WAR BASIS.
PREPARATIONS TO MEET THE ATTACK
ING FLEET.
GENERAL, MACARTHUR GOING FROM FORT
TO FORT ALONG THE SOUND-BAL
LOON PARTY ENDANGERED.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.

TBr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNEl
Nay-I.ondon Conn, Aug 2I.-The period OF
preparation is rapidly coming to close and
with II all departments are getting down to a
war basis. General Greely is arranging for a
private wire to his headquarters in the Crocker
House. General Macarthur has fixed upon
Fort Trumbull as his land headquarters. From
these points bulletins to be issued during
the days of war, and to General Greedy VIII be
sent all the dispatches about the movements
OF the fleet his lines of observation stretching
from Point Judith to Block Island
Target practice was continued to-day at Fort
H G, Wright. General Crozier. chief ordnance
officer, spoke enthusiastically Of the work last
night.
We have had excellent shooting to-day"
said he. The targets used were demolished,
and this when the heaviest guns were used.
The practice comes without warning. The gar
rison is not informed until hour two be-
fore shooting begins. So the accurate work is
all the more creditabIe The work will con-
tinue until all the forts have had practice
General Macarthur and his staff spent the
day the Kanawha, going from fort TO fort,
looking over the situation. The Signal Corps
has also been busy This morning thirty-fiv
of the Connecticut Signal Corps left here on
the steamer Unique for various stations along
the entrance of the Sound. where the Rhode
Island and Massachusetts Signal Corps Will
join them later.
Some time between the 18th and 31st General
Macarthur and his staff will make a complete
tour of the entire field Of operations. General
Greely Will probably go 10 Newport tomorrow
visit the stations there The Signal Corps
automobile which is in service here has been
making some record runs between General
Greely's headquarters end the Pequot House,
carrying messages. Local police officers watch
its runs with disapprovaI, but yet OF
the United States generals have been arrested
for scorching.
The torpedo boat Bagley went out to-day. She
took the Fishers Island Sound route to New
port. which caused some comment, as this is a
possible route for the smaller vessels of the
attacking fleet. The monitor Puritan will coal
here tomorrow. Some concern exists in the
minds Of the army people as to the safety OF
the balloon detachment at Point Judith y
landing party would be able to capture this.
and the Signal Corps has asked for detach-
ment to protect the squad. The capture OF the
balloon would constitute a pretty little side
play, and some such attempt is evidently ex-
pected. Fort H G. Wright continues to be the
centre OF operations. Adjutant General Barry
has made his headquarters there, and General
Macarthur continues to spend his days there
General Macarthur announced tonight that
he would visit the Narragansett fortihcations
on Friday At present the army officials are
excluding visitors from all forts and military
reservations. At the outbreak Of hostities this
rule will be somewhat modified and ii viii be
possible for correspondents to view the opera
tions from the various forts on the Sound. Their
reports will be subject TO measure Of censor
ship.
The general expressed great satisfaction
the artillery practice, which will be continued
tomorrow.
Owing to the public interest in the use OF
wireless telegraphy during the manRuvres, Gen
eral GreeIy said to-day that he would issue
statements concerning the work done III this
branch during the campaign. These details VIII
be made public when the actual warfare has
begun and the attacking fleet has sailed.