National Affairs: Fleet Manoeuvers

The greatest war games ever played by American warships will take place this month in the Gulf of Panama. The former Atlantic and the former Pacific fleets (now the United States fleet, under command of Admiral Hilary P. Jones) are gathering at the Canal.

In the battlefleet which Admiral Jones is assembling is the old warrior, Iowa. At 9:30 a. m. July 3, 1898, the Iowa sighted the fleet of Admiral Cervera coming out of Santiago Bay and raised the signal, " Enemy coming out! " Now from March 26 to 30 the Iowa will be used for a moving target for practice by the giant Mississippi, most powerful ship afloat. Under radio control she will be given a run for her life, dodging, turning and racing her engines in a final effort to escape. Five-inch guns, then 14-inch rifles will pour their fire into her. To prolong her agonies special shells will be used and wireless-controlled pumps will try to keep her above water. If by some desperate chance she survives, the once proud Iowa will be sold as junk. Night attacks upon the Panama Canal defenses, thought to be impregnable, will be made under the glare of searchlights and beneath the Caribbean moon. Two scout fleets of fast cruisers and destroyers will contest each other under cover of smoke screens and protecting airplanes. At the end of the month force-practice and depth-charge practice will be held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Later, in April, the United States fleet will divide and race to home bases.

Secretary Denby and all high naval officers, 72 Congressmen, and newspapermen from all over the country, are aboard the transport Henderson on their way to southern waters.