The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-22
THE CHANCES FAVOR HIM
Pillsbury is Befriended by Neither
Mat Nor Cloud.
LITTLE HOPE OF STEALING IN UNSEEN
II is Now Susp cted That in This War Game
PillsburY Has Stationed Spies at
Various Points Along
the Coast.
(By the Associated Press.)

Rockport, Mass, Aug. 21.--The battle
ships of Rear Admiral Higginson's 5
squadron, defending the New England
coast from an imaginery attack by fleet
under Commander John E. Pillsbury
were plainly seen in the clear atmosphere
from this point this morning. The other
vessels of Admiral Higginson's 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 reported from any of the
signal stations along the shore.
All conditions at the beginning OF the
day were considered as favoring the de-
Tending fleet as apparently it would be
inviting detection were Commander Pills
bury to attempt to approach the. coast
Under the cloudless sky and with abso-
lutely no mist or haze to obstruct vision
for miles and miles at sea. Neverthe-
less, the coast guards ships were on the
move early in the morning.
Off towards Cape Cod were the Brook
lyn and the Olympia. The battleships
kearsarge, Massachusetts and Alabama
were outside Straitsmouth Point hear
Thatcher's Island. the position beIEk az
about the center of the line of defense.
The Mayfower and the Scorpion were on
duty off the Isle of Shoals and the other
vessels We're stationed at more distant
points or were moving to and fro acting
as patrols along the picket line.
The telegraph and telephone were very
busy today with the transmission of re-
ports from various signai stations. There
is not point from Portland to Province
town where extended sea observation can
be obtained, but what is manned by
watchmen from the vessels OF Admiral
Higginson. Each station has been heard
of 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
lighthous6 Keepers sitt4-pt4fe+ts
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 as possible, those in charge of
the Central Station here are maintaining
conditions of actual warfare. Ensign
Berry and Midshipman Fitzpatrick receive
reports, handle dispatches and direct af-
fairs. Today Captain N. T. Helmes, of
the Kearsarge was at the station for the
purpose of getting an accurate land view
of the vessels as they moved about at
sea.
There is evidence today that Command
er Pillsbury has stationed spies at the
main points included in the operations
for the defense of the coast. The first
intimation of any thing of this sort came
from Provincetown where, it was sus-
pected that an officer had been landed.
Investigations led to the belief that at
other places and even at this station
such spies had been sent. This prompted
to even closer secrecy if possible than
had been maintained before and to orders
that sharp watch be kept for suspicious
persons.