Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 119, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1915 — HOSTILE FLEET IS NEAR U. S. COAST [ARTICLE]

HOSTILE FLEET IS NEAR U. S. COAST

Great Battle Nears When Defense Clashes With Big Battlers Speeding To Atlantic Shores. Newport, R. 1., May 19. —The defense of the coast from Portsmouth, N. H., to Cape Hatteras against attack of an invading fleet was the problem which occupied the attention of the Atlantic fleet, beginning at midiSght tonight. At that hour the battleships, destroyers and submarines which steamed out of New York yesterday under review by President Wilson 'became the fleet of defense in the mimic war, arranged by the navy department to test the strength of the country's present protection Against foreign invasion. Somewhere at sea were the vessels of the hostile eflet. The scout cruiser Chester, flagship of Rear Admiral Frank E. Beatty, who is in charge of the hostile fleet. The scout cruiswas believed to represent a division of super dreadnaughts. The mine layer San Francisco was thought to be regarded as a transport group, headed for a beach on which to land a fighting force. Three torpedo boats were mimic equivalents of other elements ot an invading fleet. These vessels, which left here several days ago, are to make their dash on some point on the northeastern seaboard. __ To surprise this attack and repel the invasion is the task of Admiral Frank Fletcher, commanding the Atlantic fleet. The great naval strength represented on the Hudson river for the past week is at his disposal, each unit to carry out its part in a scheme of national defense such as would obtain in actual war. The question whether the United States has been invaded or whether the enemy fleet has been repulsed is to be determined by Rear Admiral Austin M. Knight, president of the naval war college. He is now at sea on the cruiser Brooklyn, accompanied by representatives of the leaders of the opposing forces. The Brooklyn is to keep constantly in touch with the movements of the game by wireless.