The Washington times., 1902-12-21
ONINOUS SIGNS IN
GATHERING OF FLEET
Said to Be Outcome of
DeWey'S Prediction.
TROUBLE WITH GERMANY
Smashing of Monroe Doctrine and
Acquisition OF South American
Territory May Be Tried

retired naval officer Of high rank that
the massing OF the entire North At
lanuc. South Atlantic and European
sQuadrons in the Caribbean Sea just at
this critical moment is the result Of
foresight on the part Of the general
board OF the navy.
shortly after the close OF tho Spanish
war Admiral Dewey stated publicly ,ha-
the next war Of this country would be
with Germany. and the belief was echoed
by many naval officers Of less promi-
neuce Even the time was set apDroxi-
mately. at the conclusion Of Gcrmany's
naval program which contemplated the
existence Of the most powerful navy in
the world by 1908. All OF the work Of
the board and all Of that of the Naval
War College has been along these lines.
The maneuvers Of last summer were on
the same basis simulated attack upon
our shore by a German feet. The prob
lem has been worked out dozen times.
Ia different ways.
Meanwhile Germany was advancing
;he elimination Of her program year by
year until the United States attaches
abroad reported 20 the Navy Depart
ment that in its modified form it would
0e complete by 1905 Hence the sudden
awakening 10 the deficiency Of the
American navy in fleet evoIutions. en-
target firing in the number OF officers
and Of men. and the necessity for an
immediate start toward doing what Ger
many has been about for several years
past. the gathering Of a unified fleet
Changes Of Opinion.
The changes of opinion among naval
officers as TO construction and arma-
ment have been based upon the charac-
ter OF the ships Germany has been
building. and it is noticeable that In The
past two years the department has laid
special stress upon the need of hght.nz
ships rather than those Of great speed.
resulting in ordering within the last
year cruisers which, to all purposes.
we're battleships In power and cruisers
in name only.
The same naval officer points out that
the publication Of this suspicion on the
part Of the United States led to the
sudden manifestation Of friendly feel
ing by Kaiser Wilhelm the visit Of
Prince Henry. and the exchange Of cour-
tesies attendant upon the launching Of
the Kaiser's yacht; his tour through
the country TO sound the feeliug OF the
American people. native and natural
tzed. the following visit Of Prince Hen
~ Of Pless ard his declaration on
reaching home that he would like moth
ing better than TO succeed Herr Won
Holleben at The Washington embassy.
finally. though not in true sequence. the
invitation to American army officers OF
high rank TO witness the German army
maneuvers. the extreme If not extrav-
agant attention shown them. and the
apparent frankness with which was dis
played TO them the power and discipline
OF the German lighting machine. its
military establishment. All Of this. it
is declared. was for the purpose Of
throwing of American suspicion and TO
counteract military action that might
be taken upon the conviction Of such
eminent military men as Admiral Dewey.
Needs Of Germany.
The general board Of the navy. there
fore. knowing the nea- approach Of tho
completion OF the German navy. the de-
sire OF that country 70 increase It's
trade in South America. possible only
upon its ability TO collect debts con
tractod in such countries. and the i'm
pcrative requirement in this case OF
naval base and cOaling station. foresaw.
possibly vaguely. a contingency such
as now exists. Instead OF the scope
originally purposed. the exercising Of "a
comparatively small portion Of the
navy. it was determined 10 send thither
every ship which could be- sent properly
manned and which was not needed on
the Pacific station. The souudness Of
this decision seemed 10 be confirmed by
the suspicious operations OF Germany
at Margarita Island.
So great was deemed the importance
Of this movement that not merely Ad-
miral Dewey but the majority Of the
general board itself went down. nomi-
nally 10 witness the maneuvers. really
TO view the success OF their coup and 20
gather further data for use in the
prophesied war with Germany.
Great Bntain's Position.
Great Britain had not figured IN their
plans. but the reported prospect that
that country viii sever its connection
with Germany in the attack upon
Venezuela removes that element Il was
the general board. so &c is said and
not the Secretary OF the Navy. which
planned the distribution OF the feet for
the Christmas vacation. Certain 70 is
Admiral Taylor. chief OF the Bureau u
Navigation. and adviser OF the Secretary /
AZ such a moment. was with the fleet /.
at the time. and necessarily must have .
seen and probably approved Of the order 4
as prepared and issued by his chief ana I.
the president of she general board. Ad- /
miral Dewey. That order sent TO Trini- /
dad. the nearest port 20 Venezuela. not .
itself a Venezuelan port. the most
powerful and best equipped battleshlps .
OF the feet, together with swift tor
pedO-boat destroyer. capable as a mes
Eengor Of summoning 10 the South