The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-21
NO ENEMY IN SIGHT.
The Game Of War as 1t Is Being
Played by the Navy.

Rockport, Mass, Aug. 21.7The battle
ships of Rear Admiral Higginson's
squadron defending the New England
coast from an imaginary attack by a
fleet under Commander John E. Pills
bury, were plainly seen in the clear at
mosphere from this port this morning.
The other vessels of Admiral Higgin-
sons command were scattered along the
horizon, or in. view at nearer points
maintaining guard of the coast The
night passed without unusual incident
and no trace of the enemy was re-
ported from any of the signal stations
along the shore.
All conditions at the beginning of the
day were considered as favoring the
defending fleet as apparently it would
be inviting detection were Commander
Pillsbury to attempt to approach the
coast under the cloudless sky and with
absolutely. no mist or haze to obstruct
vision of miles and miles at sea. Never
theless the coast guardships were on the
move early in the morning.
F Off towards Cape Cod were the Brook
lyn and the Olympia The battIeships
Kearsarge, Massachusetts and Alabama
were outside Straitsmouth Point. near
Thatcher'S Island their position being at
about the center of the line of defense
The Mayf1ower and the Scorpion were
on duty off the Isles of Shoals and the
other vessels were stationed at more
distant points. or were moving to and
fro. acting as patrols along the picket
line.
Just after o'clock the torpedo boat
Bagley sent into this port to get
dispa tches.
The telegraph and telephone were
very busy today with the transmission
of reports from various signals stations.
There is not a point from Portland to
Provincetown where extended sea obser-
walton can be obtained but what is
manned by watchmen from the vessels
of Admiral Eigginson. Each has been
heard from time to time and those in
charge of the central naval station here
are satisfied that the signal system is as
nearly perfect as it can be. Not only
are the important points occupied by
men from the warships but in some
cases marines and signal men are with
them, and they have the cooperation
of the lighthouse keepers and of the
various life saving crews. All reports
received up to noon today were the
same to the effect that nothing had
been seen of the enemy"
AS far possible those in charge OF
the central station here are maintain
ing conditions of actual warfare. En-
sign Berry and Midshipman Fitzpatrick
receive reports, handle ships and direct
affairs. Today Capt. H. It. Holmes. OF
the Kearsarge, was at the station TO.
the purpose of getting an accurate land
view of the vessels as they moved about
at sea.
There is evidence today that Com
mander Pillsbury has stationed spies at
the main points included in the opera
tions for the defense of the coast. The
first intimation of anything of this sort
came from Provincetown where it was
suspected that an officer had been land
ed. Investigations led to the belief that
at other places and even at this station
such spies had been sept. This prompt
ed to even closer secrecy. if possible
than mao been maintained before ard TO
orders that sharp watch be kept for
suspicious persons.