Word: smokes
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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...scandal" is nothing less than a God-send for the Democratic party and for Hiram Johnson, both of whom have lost no time in spreading so black a smoke-screen over the whole proceeding that little can be discerned of the true nature of the transactions. Very probably what blame exists can be attached to the Republican party, although it appears that Mr. Josephus Daniels and others had a finger in the "Teapot" at one time; perhaps some of the blame can even be hung on President Coolidge, on the theory that the chief is responsible...
Where there is a reasonable amount of smoke, there is probably some fire; but where there is a smoke-screen, the cause may be quite different. At any rate, the only sensible course is to investigate everything and arrive at the truth; if the facts then show that the Republicans are an iniquitous lot of tricksters and grafters--three cheers for the Democrats and may their tribe increase. But these offhand condemnations, supported by half-baked evidence and incomplete testimony show only too clearly the present state of our political parties, each of which is too weak to stand...
...Black Fleet proceeded to fire on the forts and locks, outranging the land guns. Black destroyers attempting to lay a smoke screen were driven off by the guns of Fort Randolph. The losses of the Black Fleet were three submarines and one destroyer...
That night Admiral Newton A. McCully, in command of the Black Fleet, sprang the first surprise. Some 1,000 or 1,500 marines in 50-foot motor boats carried by the Black Fleet traveled 17 miles from Porto Bello under cover of a smoke screen. Despite a very rough sea they effected a landing between 4 and 5am. A detachment of 400 attacked Fort Randolph and captured it from its defenders, who numbered 1 than half as many. Another detachment took the Coco Solo aviation field (defended by 70 mechanics) and submarine base, "destroying" submarine supplies and capturing all aeroplanes...
When morning came there were five first class battleships of the Blue Fleet in Cristobal Harbor at the north end of the Canal. Under cover of a smoke screen blowing in from the sea the Black Fleet advanced early to the attack. Admiral Robinson ordered destroyers and submarines to put to sea through the enemy's fire. Behind the breakwater the first line ships were manoeuvred in an attempt to get then into firing position. Only one or two were able to get broadside on to bring all their batteries into firing position. The great guns fired incessantly by proxy...