Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-07
MAINE is SAFE.
Defensive Fleet Capable Of
Protecting Our Ports.
No Sign Yet Of Attack, Though One
Is Hourly Expected.
Distribution of Militia in War Game
Officially Announced.

Portland, Me-, Aug. 6.-With thick
and stormy weather along the entire
coast, it would seem as if the attacking
fleet under Rear Admiral Sands had the
best possible conditions, today, in
which to win the war game by evading
the defending squadron under Rear
Admiral Barker and establishing itself
in some one of the numerous little har-
| bCrs of the eastern Maine coast. But
| at late hour, tonight, nothing had
| been heard from the enemy" while
| the reports from the defending squad
ron during the day were somewhat
meagre.
Several of the swift torpedo boat
destroyers ran into Penobscot bay, dur
ing the day, and a naval tug came into
Bar Harbor for the mail The main
portion of Admiral Barkers fleet, how
ever kept well off shore and it is be-
leved continued the work of patrolling
the coast between PASSPORT and Cape
Ann.
Admiral Sands has still about three
days in which to make his dash for the
coast and it is believed that he will wait
until the last moment in order to give
the defending squadron plenty of prac-
tice Spatrolling and taking advantage
of any relaxation in the vigilance of
their work. A foreign liner brought in
today, the last word of the attacking
squadron, the entire feet being sighted
several miles off shore, on the evening
of Aug. 4. At that time the fleet was
steaming in an easteriy direction.
The search is not proving to be very
spectacular or interesting to people
within the war belt excepting to those
naval and army officers who are direct
ly Interested. Now and then during the
day glimpses are caught along the
coast of parts of Admiral Barker's
squadron in and out of the harbors, but
efforts to secure information from
them regarding the movements of the
squadron have been rather unsuccess-
full
The weather the past day and a half
has been favorable and was favorable
tonight, for Admiral Sands and his
hostile fleet. but inasmuch as the navy
is engaged in the testing of the patrol
ard wireless telegraph systems in the
work of guarding the coast and a thor
ough trial of this scheme is desired,
those who pretend to know anything
about the movements of the two squad
rons believe Admiral Sands will not
make an effort to get within any har-
Dor until the last two days Gf his
allotted five.
Lighthouse keepers and the life saw
ing men all along the coast, together
with the wireless telegraph stations
have been ordered to watch for ships
with information, which presumably is
being transmitted to Admiral Barker
over the telephone and telegraph sus-
TENS. AS this is all done in cipher no
information as to the movements has
leaked out. 1t is known that anywhere
coast a patrol line has been established
and some vessels of the defensive
squadron are constantly in touch with
one another.
Enough has been learned here to
know that the wireless station at Cape
Elizabeth which is the farthest east of
any, is working to the satisfaction of
the officers interested in the develop
ment Of this system.
Here in Portland. the attention is
focused on the coming army and navy
maneuvres to begin the week COM
niencing Aug a. and every train brings
IN army and navy officials assigned
here for some duty in the joint man
euvreF. The regulars at the forts are
Confined on 90 9l