Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-20

the state and navy departments dur ing the day were reminiscent of the days immediately preceding the Span ish- American war. The telegraph rooms were fully manned and over on the naval annex building. the general board was in secret session a good part of the day. Headed by Admiral Dewey there were gathered around the long table Rear Admfrals South erland and F1ske, Captains Winter halter, the aide for material, Knapp. Hood, Schiemacher and Oliver, di- rectors of naval intelligence and Com mander Campbell. secretary of the board. The board was engaged in go- ing over the latest despatches receiv- ed from Rear Admiral Badger, on the Arkansas, now in the Florida straits; Rear Admiral Fletcher at Vera Cruz and Rear Admiral Mayo at Tampico.
 Never was there a more vivid il- lustration of the march of scientific invention as applied to warfare than the facility with which these ranking admirals and captains engaged in plotting out the strategy of the possi- ble war were able to keep in touch with the developments at every point where an American warship is lying. Sornt of the men engaged in this task had fresh in mind the painful ex- periences of the old naval strategy board which in the spring of 1898, six teen years ago. were deSpafringly try Ing TO- get III COuCn W1Cn Samson anu Schley, commanding the two fleets which, excepting Dewey's own Philip pine squadron, represented all the American naval strength of that day
 Mexican Elementary Problems.
 Generally the Mexican plan covers elementary problems, such as the in stantaneous establishment of an eff ficient blockade, which the extensive coast line of Mexico would make no small task. Next in order comes the seizure of certain ports and this is where the painstaking and exhausting drills of the manine regiments last fall and winter are expected to find their application. The whole modern American theory of advance base oP- eratiens with tEe marines as an active force was planned to meet just such emergencies as the rapid seizure ef a pert in a hostile country to form a NbaSe to be held for the arrival of ar army of occupation.
 About the only other feature of naval activity in the beginning of hos tile operations, at least, would be the despatch inland of an expeditionary force te hold some of the important strategic points, such as the great trestIe of the Vera Cruz Mexico City railroad, supposed to be the key to hte position of that road. With 15,000 men in his fleet, Admiral Badger could spare a lOIC6 dIlplS lOI lLdl Puk pose.
 Torpedo Boat Destroyers Ordered to Tampico.
 Late: in the day and after the ad- journment of the general board meet ing, Admirals Blue and Fishe went to the navy department building and i awaited the return of Secretary Dan- l iels, who had been out of town. The l only order issued from the departmen; 1 during the forenoon was that sent tC 1 PensocaI, instructing Commander : Sims to fall in line behind the fieet with his f1otilla of torpedo boat des- i flagship cruiser Birmingham anc i tender Dixie. The little vessels hat l been held in leash since Tuesday | since under orders to stand by ant | it wa sexplained that today's ordel ! which was issued by Admiral Blue 1 on his own authority, was simply 1T | execution of the original design t(
 have the destroyers accompany thu
 battleships on the cruise. It is though ] that they may be of great use in cas' l it becomes necessary to establish
 blockade but aside from that, th' 1 naval strategists are not aNerse t' i seizing the opportunity afforded pA l this sudden mobilization movement t'
 test the soundness between the battle | shipss and the torpedo craft, Whlcl 1 are resigned to protect them as wei as to act extensively. Besides tn comprises the following destroyers: i Third division-Lieutenant Com
 mander LittlefeId; Henley Uieut
 Commander William L. Littlefieldl Drayton Gieutenant William D. Pui
 eston); Mccall Odeutenant Geors Commander Daniel P. MannoD,
 ! Fourth 6ivision-Lieutenant Com ] mander Stafford H. R. Hyde; Paulo ing (Doyle); Ammen Oteutehan
 Charles Belknap): Burrows Lieuten
 ant Joseph F. Daniels; Patterson 1 Uieutenant Harold R. Stark: Tripp 1! (IAeutena1t Commander Frank l Berrien).
 Fifth divispn-Lieutenant Com mander William N. Jeffers; Fannin | (Jeffers); Beale bieutenant Charle T. Hutchins); Jenkins Nieutenan | Oieutenant William F. Halsey)
 Jouett dieutenant Rufus F. Fog
 baum).
 It was originally announced fror
 the navigation bureau that the entir
 f1otilla of destroyers would be sent t
 Tampico, but lack of men compelle
 the department to retain in reserve a
 Pensacola eight of the little vessels.
 Secretary Daniels returned to Wash
 ington about five o'clock from Cleve
 land and went directly to the nav
 department. After a short conference
 with Admirals Blue ard Fiske and
 scanning of the despatches that ha.
 been received in his absence the sec
 retary settled down to await result
 of the ultimatum.
 l Several senators called at the Whit l House during the evening and confer
 red with Secretary Eumu1ty. who wa
 at the executive offices awaiting des ! matches Secretary Bryand was at h1
 home in close touch with the state de
 partment and the White House.
 Naval Strenath For Mexican Water,
 Washington, Aril 19-OfficialS 0
 the navy deartment said tonight tha
 there were now in Mexican waters c
 enrout by the east and west coastl
 17,s5O sailors, 3,S7o marines and S5
 officers. Of this number 14,170 sailor