U.S. NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1920, Page 5

U.S. NAVY.

ITS PART IN THE WAR. SECRET ORDERS REVEALED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Washington, May 11. Mr. J. Daniels (Secretary to the Navy), has disclosed President Wilson's secret instructions to the navy, delivered on board the Atlantic fleet on August 11, 1917.

President Wilson ordered the officers to throw tradition to the winds, to strike out the word "prudent" from their vocabularies, and act audaciously to the utmost point of risk and daring. Alluding to the British Admiralty statements that certain things had never been done, President Wilson pointed out that that was just the reason why the American navy ought to attempt them. President Wilson, referring to the submarine menace, said he was willing to sacrifice half the American and British navies if only they could destroy the German hornets' nest- Mr. Wilson announced his willingness to place himself at the disposal of any officer of the navy who could show him how the war was to be won.

President Wilson concluded by saying that, without disparagement of other navies, he hoped things would begin to happen when the American navy began to fight. Mr. Daniels asserted that Admiral Sims and the British Admiralty combined lelayed the North Sea mine barrage for six months. Admiral Sims attempted to give the impression that the plan originated with Britain, whereas the Navy Department ought to get the credit.

Mr. Daniels told the Senate Naval Investigation Committee to-day that President Wilson was dissatisfied with the manner in which England and her navy managed their end of the war to the summer of - 1017, and so expressed himself in a confidential message to the United Stater, fleet then. President Wilson said "Every time we have suggested anything the British Admiralty has replied that it has never been done in that way_ before. I felt like saying that, nothing was ever done so systematically as nothing was now being done. I was willing to sacrifice half the navy to the United States and Britain together, to crush the submarine nest."

It took six months to get British approval to the North Sea mine barrage, which would have been adopted much earlier had Admiral Sims urged it instead of airing his own objections,— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.