THE AMERICAN METHOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 197, 10 August 1908, Page 4

THE AMERICAN METHOD.

I lie wireless messages, now' being received from the American Fleet are oliviodsly obtained by means of a Naval intelligence system which must have been established throughout the Pacific by the American authorities, and indicates the method to be pursued in

tual warfare (writes Hie Auckland Herald). Nobody will imagine that the American Admiral would go to endless trouble merely to inform Auckland that he is coining, but no pains would be too great which kept the battleship ileet in touch with its bases while great distances from telegraph stations and in a theoretically hostile ocean. The American battleship fleet embodies the naval strength of the Washington Govcrument, and is sailing under conditions which are being approximated as closely as possible to those which would be established by a declaration of hostilities, say, with Japan. For example, its coal is being carried by auxiliary vessels, so that it may not be rendered helpless by the absence of coaling stations which in time of peace are freely open to it. Solare its cruisers now in company. They are, wy> may be sure, working for it .n scouts and an intelligence service, so that it is kept continually informed of the position of theoretically inimical warships, and of the general course of the terrestrial events which concern it. This is made possible by the wireless telegraphy installed in warships, it is pertain that Admiral Sperry knows that the Powerful'is already in Auckland, and the whereabouts of every vessel in the Japanese Navy. While his journey to Australasia is entirely friendly, it "enables the Washington Government to drill its navy in the method to be pursued when a great squadron undertakes a distant expedition, leaving its own coasts exposed. At any alarming movement by Japanese vessels, the American battleship could-be headed for hoifie waters or hurled in a counter-at-tack upon Japanese ports.