Evening times-Republican., 1911-07-15
SHIPS N MIMIC
ATTACK ON new YORK
NAVAL VESSELS TO PASS THRU
SOUND IN ORDER TO
RESIEGE CITY.
NAVAL RESERVES CALLED Z
TO AID IN MANEuvE
Torpedo Boats, Submarines and = :
planes to Repel INVADERS y ar
Maneuvers to Take Place = 3ar
francisco Harber - Special Gun
Needed to Disable Airships.

New York. July 15-The naval mi
litia began cmbarking today all along
the north Atlantic coast for the coming
attack on New York harbor and its de-
fenses. The purpose OF the maneuvers
next week is to ascertain the strength
Of New York's back door. Seventeen
of the biggest battleships ever gather
reach the city thru Long Island
sound, and the battle for the preserva-
tion Of the metropolis Will be fought at
Gardeners Bay at the eastern end Of
Long Island.
The battleships Ohio. Mississippi and
Maine today took aboard the amateur
sailors of this state who will particl-
pate in the attack
The city will be defended by most OF
the naval militia details in their own
ships, backed by a swarm OF torpedo
boats, submarines and aeroplanes.
Big Ships Attack.
1t is the plan for the battleships and
cruisers OF the Atlantic fleet to play
the war game with the naval militia
ships and the torpedo fleet. including
submarines. The battleships and cruis-
ers will constitute the attacking squad
ron and the other craft will be the
home squadron. For the battleships
and cruisers, the game will be an Of
fensive one and for the naval militia
ships and torpedo feet, 1t will be de-
fensive.
The exact location Of the scene Of
hositilities is not disclosed for obvious
reasons. The knowledge of this is con-
fined to Rear Admiral Osterhaus in
command Of the Atlantic fleet and
Commander Eberle in command Of the
home squadron. Necessarily. the two
fleets are to be kept in the dark as to
the plans of each other.
Apart From Usual Maneuvers.
This war game Is entirely apart from
the usual maneuvers Of the battleship
fleet. It is expected to be q great oc-
casion for the green naval militianen,
He will have q lot OF hard work and
probably u lot OF hardships. Tho sea
will probably have less glamour for
him when he gets thru than when he
begins. He will discover there is not
much glory In scrubbing decks and
kindred pursuits OF sailorman. But
all in all, ne is expected to get a lot OF
instruction out OF It,
The Opposing Forces.
The attacking fleet will consist OF
twenty-one battleships and cruisers.
while on the other side will be fifteen
destroyers. seven submarines and 1--WE
naval militia ships. Practically all the
naval militia from the state OF South
Carolina northward will be employed.
The navy department estimates that
something like 5000 naval militia will
be engaged. Not all Of them WY Be
carried, however, on the naval militf:
ships. Something like 1900 Of them
will be on the side Of the offensive and
will be carried on the battleships. 1t
is likely those who get on the battle
ships, will be fortunate, as they will
have the benefit OF mingling with the
trained crews OF those vessels and get
ting a better insight into the actual re-
quirements of the navy than those on
the naval militia ships.
This is not the first time that war
game OF this kind has been attempted.
But the game this year is being played
on bigger scale than usual. 1t is
a remarkable fact that while the regu-
lar army has in recent years given cor
dial support to the national guard. this
can not be said to be so true OF the
attitude OF the navy toward the naval
militia. Tho signs are, however, that
the navy is beginning to measure more
accurately the true value Of expert
enced naval militia and that the naval
militia is to have more announcement
and support hereafter. The scope OF
these maneuvers indicates this.
AeropIanes For Scouting.
In connection with scouting. the aero
plane will doubtless be tried out with
thoroughness. Navy de-
partment officials disclaim knowledge
Of a purpose to dom uch with the aero
plane in this war game but the oppor-
tunity for trial will be such that it
will hardly be overlooked. Secretary
Meyer IS inclined TO attach rnnch ir!
portance to the aeroplane for naval
purposes.
San Francisco. July 15.-Nine COM
pauies Of coast artillery reserves of the
state Of California are encamped at the
Preside today preparatory to taking
part in maneuvers with regulars next
week when a naval force will attempt
to run a blockade Of batteries and forts
that defend San Francisco and land q
force inside the Golden Gate.
Asropianes Safe From Bullets.
Washington, July 15.-Critical OBJ
Of tho flights daily being
made at Coe Park. near this city. by
army aviators. has confirmed army
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