Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-05
MIMIC WAR RULES
Navy Department Decides How Fleets Shall
Win and Lose.
ATTACKING SHIPS PUT OUT TO SEA
Will Try to Seize Base I'm Porto Rico
and Mine HRrbor Before De-
tenders Can Intercept
Proceedings.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The Navy de-
partment has made public the dement's of
the naval search problem on which the com
bined European, North Atlantic and South
Atlantic fleets are to begin work tomorrow
in the West Indies.
These rules are as follows:
l, The White fleet includes vessels of
commands of Rear Admirals Sumner and
Crowninshield, combined under former.
: 2. The Blue feet includes vessels under
pRear Admiral Higginson.
8 In the Afternoon Of December 5 the
sighted the White fleet December 2 in lati-
tude 10 degrees north, longitude IS degrees
west, a position about 800 miles to the east
4. h White fleet. represents an ad-
vanced detachment of an enemy, whose
object is to secure a base In the Porto
Rican waters between and including Maya
guez on the west and Great Harbor, Guile
bra, on the east; also to mine, the main
p. m. December 10. at which time the prob
lem ends Ia II ii enters the port selected
before the arrival of a Blue force 50 per
cent greater than its own, II wins. OBJ. II
1t enters the port and completes the mining
of the channel before the arrival OF a Blue
force double its own. II wins.
S. White loses If intercepted by superior
Blue force at sea or in less than one hour
after II enters the port.
G.. The Blue force to win must (a) with a
superior force meet the White fleet at sea
" .WllIll OllG bpu 1 - a
in the port selected; (b) If the White force
has been at anchor more than one hour but
not long enough to plant all It's mines, me
IMAM the White.
Fleet Ready for Maneuvers.
PORT OF SPAIN, Island OF Trinidad,
Wednesday, Dec. 3.-Read Admiral Sumner
has issued an order with respect to the
neutrality OF Trinidad.
With the receipt of the report of the gun
boat Eagle this morning communication
with the shore ceased and from now the
movements OF the enemy" squadron will
be cloaked in mystery.
While Admiral sumner has not indicated
when he proposes to sail. the understanding
among the officers of the vessels under his
command is that the squadron will leave
the Gulf Of Paria at 5 o'clock tomorrow
morning.
There is a lighthouse at Boca Grande. the
exit of the gulf, and apprehension is felt
that the keeper may communicate with the
United States consul, who will telegraph
Rear Admiral Hlggenson, commanding the
defending squadron, the course and speed
OF the enemy" Consequently Admiral
Sumner proposes. when aut Of sight of
land, to change his course and speed and
then proceed TO the port chosen for the
scene or the attack.
1t is often the case that the course OF
warshlps is followed by boxes and other
refuse thrown overheard. Therefore Ad-
mirsl Sumner has decided that such debris
be put In condition to sink Immediately
when thrown into the sea or that 1t be
burned. New code signals for use day and
night have been arranged in order to pre-
vent their being read by Admiral Higgin-
sons scouts.
Though his squadron is stronger than the
one commanded by Admiral Cervera, Ad-
miral Sumner declares that the problem be-
fore him is more dificult than that Of the
spaniards. as the latter were able to choose
ports in Cuba as we'll as in Porto Rico and
Culebra. Moreover, the Spaniards moved
from the Cape Verde islands, while Admiral
Summers command is close and is limited
in regard to time.