Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

per. one OF which was Ineffective VIII
MS nagship. the Texas and several LARGE
snps, together with part of his fleet of
smaller vessels, he attacked the hatter,es
with the result that he lost tbeoretfcaily
ms nagshfp and two of the other larger
vessels. and the remainder of the fleet TAX
ing part was severely damaged.
What Was Accomplished.
On Monday daylight attack was made
oy the smaller ships and on Tuesday night
simultaneous attacks were made on the
| strongholds of all three of the artillery
districts. The feet was divided. three Of
the ships having been sent down the bay
against Fort Monroe. much larger
squadron was directed against the Wash
lngton Notifications and several of the
small vessels were left In the vicinity OF
baltimore with instructions to attack there
Inc ships that sailed south to Fort Monroe
did not go into action until an early hour
In the morning. the other attacks taking
place from four to five hours earlier On
Tuesday three attacks were delivered at
the three points under different auspices
and conditions. and on Wednesday the
fleet made attacks on Washington and
Baltimore. but gave Fort Monroe rest.
The admiral collected his entire force We'd
nesday night with the exception of two
vessels. for the big attack on Fort Monroe.
During the day. Thursday, the ships were
exercised In blockading maneuvers between
the capes marking the entrance to the
bay and Just before midnight Thursday an
attack in force was made. Yesterday prac-
tice in long range firing and range finding
was had in the morning and a sortie was
made in the evening against the mine fields
which fill the harbor and it's approaches.
The maneuvers ended at noon today. Dur
ing the six and half days of exercises
the navy and army have burned tons OF
powder and enough noise has been made to
satisfy the most exacting
Safety Of Baltimore and Washington.
rho
is that 1t is impossible for feet OF war
ships to pass the Notifications on the Po-
tomac or In the upper bay and get to either
the cities of Baltimore or Washington. It
has likewise been determined that Fort Mon
roe fully protects the Norfolk navy yard
and the shipping in Hampton Roads. 1t
was never supposed or intended by artillery
experts that this fort should defend the
entrance to the Chesapeake bay. The main
does protect. but there Is another channel
on the north, running by Cape Charles. and
this is at least thirty miles from the near
est gun and therefore far out of range.
This channel Is navigable for battleships
only at certain stages Of the tide, but 1t Is
navigable and a fleet can get through and
pass up the bay without even being seen
from the forts here. In every engagement
but one that has been fought during the
week the navy has lost every vessel that
came within range of the armys guns.
On tnat one occasion two SHIPS manager
to get by the actual position of the guns.
but they ran into a harbor full of sub
marine mines.
Four very important elements oe the sys-
tenn of defenses were tested and found
to be in good condition. These were the
lines of information. including the signal
ing. both visual and by wireless iclegraphy.
the scout or patrol boat system. the subma-
rine mines. the search lights and the guns
themselves.
Moral Effect Of Defenses.
The moral effect of system OF defense.
such as has been tested here. is great. SO
officers who have assisted in its preparation
say. They direct attention to the tactics OF
the Japanese at Port Arthur. That harbor
was known to be strongly fortified and
sewn with submarine mines. The Japs lost
a ship or two by means of submarines and
dill not attempt to enter. When the city
fell as result of the land operations and
tae naval blockade. an examination showed
that the Russian soldiers would not proba-
bly, have done so much damage to the fleet,
but the Japanese thought they could, hence
their failure TO attempt to force an en-
trance. Thai is the moral effect of Il strong
how near they come to perfection in the
details of defense that the recent exer-
c.ses were he'd, that when the United.
States Is drawn into war the defenses OF
Cur cities and shipping shall be 50 strong
that they can do much damage 20 a
fleet of hostile warships they have done
theoretically ii the past week A. i. r.