The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-14
Two Squadrons, Consisting of Four
Divisions, Organized for Evolu-
tions Under the Admiral.
TRINIDAD TO BE VISITED
EIGHT SHIPS TO BE NEAR THE VEN
EZUELAN COAST THIS WEEK.
Omcers of the Navy Much Interested
in the Drastic Action Of Germany
and Great Britain.

SAN JUAN, Porto Rico Dec. 13.-The
American fleet here is deeply interested in
news of the Anglo-German action in Vene-
zuela. The Kearsarge, Alabama, Massa-
chusetts, Iowa and Scorpion, with Admiral
Higginson in command and the Chicago,
Newark and Eagle, Admiral Sumner COM
manding, will sail for Trinidad next Fri
day. The United States will thus have a
strong naval force within easy distance
from the Venezuelan coast This move
ment, however, has no connection with the
situation in Venezuela. and was arranged
before matters became acute.
Rear Admiral Summers squadron ar
rived here yesterday and saluted Admiral
Dewey's flag. Admiral Sumner to-day
transferred his flag to the Chicago. and
assumed command of the cruiser squadron.
The Kearsarge has landed a battalion
and has established a camp at Culebra
island. The other warships are engaged
in boat and minor drills, which will con-
tinue until Monday. Then there will be
evolutions by the vessels forming the di-
visions. to be followed Dec. IL. IS and 1s
by fleet evolutions. Between Dec. 10 and %
there will be holiday at the various ports.
Admiral Dewey has announced the feet
organization to be as follows: First squad
ron-Rear Admiral Higginson commanding;
first division, Kearsarge, Alabama, Massa-
chusetts and Iowa; second division. Rear
Admiral Crowninshield commanding, uli-
nois, Indiana, Texas and Olympia.
Second squadron-Rear Admiral Sumner
commanding; third division, Chicago, Ra-
leigh, Cincinnati and Newark; fourth di-
vision, Captain A. Walker commanding,
San Francisco, Albany. Atlanta and Mont
gomery, with the Nashville and Machias
and Detroit as picket boats.
Rear Admiral Coghan commands the
base, attached to which are the auxiliary
and supply ships.
After the holidays one squadron will
blockade a port and the auxiliary vessels
and torpedo boats will attempt TO raise 1t
and break their way through. This will
last five days. Then there will be tactical
evoutions. Admiral Dewey is gratified by
the mobilization. He says ii is the finest
fleet ever assembled under one flag and
that il is an honor to command it, The
search problem taught important lessons
which will be beneficial to the service.
Rear Admiral Higginson has personally
congratulated Admiral Sumner. He says
he would have been glad to have won, still
the victory of the former was fairly earned.
Higginson was handicapped by the alb
sence of the Texas and Newark and the
breakdown of several of his ships. The
problem, the admiral adds. showed the
need of fast scouts and an increased navy.
Admiral Dewey made an Official visit to-
day to the naval base in the great harbor
and carefully inspected the system Of sup
plying the fleet, which Is one of the i'm
portant features of the maneuvers. The
commanding officers of the vessels have
been ordered to display interest in the
sports of their men, which IL is pointed out
will not only produce greater contentment
among the crews. but improve the men
physically. The coaling and supplying of
the ships will be completed Monday.