U.S. NAVY AND WAR

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 195, 13 May 1920, Page 5

U.S. NAVY AND WAR

——4 PRESIDENT'S SECRET INSTRUCTIONS 1 BRITISH ADMIRALTY METHODS CRITICISED (By Telegraph-Press Aflßoclatlon-Copyriulit Washington, May, 11. At the Senate investigation into naval affairs during the war, instituted as the result of Admiral Sims's allegations, Mr. J. Daniels (Secretary of tho Navy. Department) disclosed President Wilson's secret instructions to tho ' Navy, deI livered aboard tho Atlnntio Fleet on August'll, 1917. President Wilson ordered tho officers to "throw tradition to tho winds; strike the Svord 'prudent' from their Vocabularies, and to act audaciously to the utmost point of risk and daring." Alluding to British Admiralty statements that certain things had never been done, President Wilson * pointed out that was just the reason why the American Navy ought to attempt them. President Wilson, referring to tho submarine menace, said he would bo willing to sacrifice half the American and British navies if only they'could destroy tho German hornets' nest. President Wilson announced his willingness to place himself at the disposal of any officer of the Navy who could show him how tho war was to bo won. He concluded that, without disparagement to othor navies, he hoped things would begin to happen when the American Navy began to fight. Mr. Daniels told the committee that President Wilson was dissatisfied' with the manner in which tho English Navy had managed its end of the war up to the summer of 1917, and so he expressed himself in a Confidential message to the United States Fleet. Then President Wilson said: "Every time we' have suggested anything to the British Admiralty it has replied, 'It has/ never been, done that way before.' I felt like saying nothing was evor done so | systematically. ■ As nothing is now being done, I am' willing' to sacrifice half the Navy of the United States and Britain together to crash the Submarine . nest." It took six months to get British approval for the North Sea . mine barrage, which would have been adopted much earlier had Admiral Sims urged it, instead of airing his own objections. Admiral Sims attempted to , give the impression that the plan originated within Britain, whereas the United States Navy Departmertt ought to get the credit.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable AsSn.