The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-08-13
USE ACTUAL
WAR TACTICS
IN PRACTICE
Work on Theory that HOSTILE
ties Begin Without War
Declaration
EXECUTE ORDERS

Washington, Aug. 13,-How the
United States fleet, comprising more
than three score naval craft, "disap-
pearcd" from the face Of the seas and
dcfied the effort of searchers operat-
inc under, over and upon the water
is told in an official Navy department
critique of the Panama manoeuvers.
Incidentally the document reveals
that in studying the possibility OF
the United States being drawn into
Il naval war, both the Army and Navy
General Staffs are proceeding on the
TIL DRY that hostilities would begin
without a declaration of war and
would be first signalled by terrific
attack on American soil.
The successful masking OF the
movement of the fleet which repre-
s, nted the enemy force in the war
game was declared by the judges to
be the outstanding tactical feature OF
the exercises.
In order that conditions approx
mating those of war might be obtain
ed, the Department assumed that
diplomatic crisis had arisen with an
unnamed power-denoted as BLACK
while the American, or Blue,
fleet was scattered at home ports for
overhaul. The attacking fleet, on its
part, was called upon to actually
cruise 1900 miles before reaching its
objective in order that the same diff
ficulties might be experienced as
would face the theoretical enemy.
Coming from northern ports the
defenders carried out the role of
having been suddenly modified from
their peaceful activities. One squad
ron Of destroyers had only 80 per-
cent personnel when the orders came,
but the crews were hastily made up
from apprentices. Eighteen seaplanes
were sent from Hampton Roads un-
der their own power to Panama, and
within few hours after their arri-
val were on the scouting line.
"In order that logical estimates of
the situation can be made" the Off
cial report said, certain assumptions
are made as to the general situation
which is supposed to exist. These are
as follows:
STRAINED. relations between Blue
and Black have recently been made
more tense by cruise of the Black
fleet in the Eastern Pacific under
Admiral E., composed of seven battle
ships, 38 destroyers and two destroy
CIR tenders, nine submarines and one
submarine tender. After visiting
ports on the west coast of South
America, this fleet assembled at
Galapagos Islands, where they join
Cd the Black Base Force and Train
and number of fuel and cargo YES
sells under other flags. After repair
and refueling the entire Black fleet
sailed with the announced intention
of visiting Magdalena Bay and Amer
lean Pacific waters.
THE Blue government, in view of
the threatening situation, has order
ed the majority of ships Of the Blue
fleet to Atlantic Coast yards for over
haul. The remainder has passed
through the Canal and is based on
Balboa, under Admiral NJ, compris-
ing five battleships, 25 destroyers,
l6 submarines and three tenders. The
Blue army air canal force has been
assembled in the Canal Zone. This
concludes the so-called general sit
uation.'
an view of the strained relations,
Admiral E, commanding the Black
fleet, prior to leaving Black country,
received instructions that the general
naval plan would call for the destruc-
ton of the Canal locks or obstruc-
ton of the waterway.
"TO this end, if incidental to seiz-
ing a base within radius of the Canal
he should see fit to violate the neu-
trality of Central or South Ameri-
can country he was authorized to do
SO. He was also informed that two
large plane carriers would join him
at rendezvous to the northward of
the Galapagos Islands.
"On February 10 the Black plane
carriers join Admiral Els command
and at 800 a. m. on that day when in
latitude z deg. 80 min. north longi-
tude 81 deg. As min. west, he receives
the following radio despatch from
he Black General Staff:
Execute your war mission per-
.sd there will be no formal declara-
ton of war
blue concluded that Blacks most
probable intention would be to estab-
lish base on the Central or posi-
bly, South American coast, and ia
launch an attack by bombers on the
Canal. The Black commander came
to the same conclusion. He rejected
the South American coast on account
of the greater distance. After due
consideration, Port Culebra in Costa
Rica was chosen for the Black base
AT 4:30 p. M, February 20. Blue
force commander sent radio to COM
mander Blue destroyers to send six
scouts Immediately to examine coast
as far as Fonseca. At 4:1O p. M, Feb
ruary 81, the Blue destroyer Coghlan
reported the enemy forces entering
Port Culebra harbor. When the
Black forces arrived at Port Culebra,
the problem was discontinued"
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