The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-04-01
Bv VICTOR ELLIOTT.

International News Service Correspondent.
Washington, d. C.-Shortly after the
heir to the Austro-Hungarian crown
was assassinated the British battle
fleet was assembled off Portland for
spectacular review. This pageant
over, the ships did not dispense by
units and divisions as might have been
expected. The fleet mysteriousiy
stayed as an integer. 1t was ready to
be flung full force upon the Germans
when the war broke.
There is a curious parallel between
Winston Churchllps management OF
the Grand feet last summer and the
program now laid out for the American
fleet. It is unsafe to draw too many
conclusions from this parallel. But
the fact that our battle feet now drill
ing off Guantanamo is to stay together
we'll into the summer is interesting
and perhaps trif1e reassuring.
Guantanamo ManeuVers.
The Guantanamo maneuvers and tar
get practice have brought together the
strongest fleet ever seen under the
Stars and Stripes. The experience Of
ficers and men are getting there is
quickly wearing away the rust which
the Mexican troubles and other causes
had let collect. After the Guantana-
mo working out the fleet will re-
turn north for continued practice.
These further exercises will takS
place with Narragansett bay as the
base The feet leaves Cuba in May.
From Narragansett bay the fleet will
assemble in New York. Here a most
extensive war game may be played.
The plans are not fully matured, but
it is proposed that the fleet divide, one
part attacking the great metropolis
and the other taking up the defense.
Then the fleet sails for Hampton
Roads, where a review ordered by con-
gress will be held in June. The feet
will probably proceed to the Panama
canal for the celebration. Thence it
may go to San Francisco.
Unparalleled Naval Activity.
Not alone in feet concentration will
the next few months be notable. The
repairing of rents in the navy and the
creating of new fighting machines is
going ahead as never before. The Eu-
ropean war has thrown the limelight
on the navy and also, as Robert Ian
sing, counsellor of the state depart
ment, said in speech at New York
recently, this lis time for serious
thought, time for anxiety
The general board, consisting Of AID
m iral George Dewey, and Rear AID
mirals G. J. Badger, Bradley A. Fiske
and Alfred Reynolds, is bent upon a
complete reorganization Of the fleet
IT is expected the superdreadnaughts
Oklahoma and Nevada will be added to
the feet this month. This will make
the first line consist of eight dread
naughts and four superintendent
The divisions of the battlefield will
be rearranged so as to distribute the
power to the best advantage.
the Present Fleet.
The feet now consists of four battle
ship divisions, cruiser squadron. de
stroyer and submarine 1otillas, col
liers, supply and hospital ships, mine
layers and smaller auXiliaries. Of the
four battleship divisions the first two
are composed of first line ships, OF
dreadnaughts (the sailor does not use
the term "dreadnaughts" Indeed the
second division has one second line
ship, the Kansas. But the addition OF
the Oklahoma and Nevada will make
three divisions of four dreadnaughts