The Ely miner., 1911-09-01

nave Deen war games De1OrS 1Or Ine
naval militia on the lakes, and in
small way in the manoeuvers in New
England two years ago. This year 1t
was decided to call into action the
entire force of naval militia on the
Atlantic coast.
Rear Admiral Hugo Osterhaus and
Commander E. w. Eberle were in COM
mand, and under orders from the de-
partment both fleets were to abandon
the use of their wireless systems for
the period of the battle.
1t was not the intention that the bat
in without being observed, as was the
case once or twice in the noted series
Of manoeuvers in the summer of 1902.
with the fleet un1er command Of Rear
Admiral Higginson.
AS the contest was to be a purely
naval one the defense was to make
no use of points of observation by
land even If any advantage were to
be had by such means. With the dis.
use of wireless, therefore, the strug.
gle on the part of the home feet was
dependent mainly on vigilance and
speed in communication.
For a moment such as that imposed
on Admiral Osterhaus light fog and
dark morning were to be desired.
From his rendezvous at Nantucket
Shoals he had before him the simple
business of getting to sea far enough
to escape observation, be out Of the
lane of ocean steamships, and avoid
wireless leaks to form his plans. He
was not to divide his fleet, but to make
the grand attack in force and, if pos
sible, SO adroity as to steal march
on his enemy and overpower him at
the weakest point in the battle plan.
To guard a coast line $50 miles long
is no small task, but Admiral Higgin
son in 1902, did it SO well that when.
on the morning of August %, in light
fog, Pillsbury's fleet came slowly up
off Salem, Higginson's fleet was there
sharpeyed and ready to give fight.
By the rules Of the game these ma
neuvers will always have great value
il any future discussion of the de-
fense of New York from attack by
a fleet entering, or trying to enter, the
east end of Long Island Sound. That
entrance naturally well protected by
the configuration of the two coast
lines on the north, and south with
tho strong coast artillery fortifica-
tione and the submarine mine system
that has been established throughout
the whole region, would never be an
inviting one to an enemy's feet. But
the battle this time of large feet Of
torpedo boats and submarines demon
strates the value of this system of de-
fense in any war where We might be
forced to divide the battleship fleet or
to divert it from the North Atlantic.
It is to be kept in mind that the
United States is a transcontinental
country and that we are open to at
tack from two sides of the continent
There can be no telling whence our
next war may come, nor what forces
may be lined up against US. An al
lance between an Oriental foe and
some European power would suggest
divided attack, one fleet approaching
the Pacific coast, and another the At
lantic. Such an attack in any force
would make necessary just such sit
uation as has been so well illustrated
in the recent manoeuvres.
Any means of concealment and COM
munication was permitted to the
fleets. The enemy came on with ell
lights out except the hooded tai'
lights and the trailing electric lights
by which those to the rear kept in
touch with those in front The usual
practice is to use sub-calibre guns for
Stimulating the fire of battle. but this
time blank shells were used and the
battle thus assumed the character
Of the real thing.
The manoeuvres of this season will
mark new era in the history of the
naval militia
If war should come the militia
would quickly be naobilized with the
regular navy, and II - emily the part
of practical sense to continue to have
the annual war game embraced local
branches of the service. Ultimately
the army will be drawn into the prob
lem, and the defense of the country
in actual war will be simulated with
greater advantage than any yet car