AMERICAN NAVY AT WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16550, 28 May 1917, Page 6

AMERICAN NAVY AT WORK.

CO-OPERATION WITH ALLIES. LONDON, May 17. Mb. Daxiem, United States Secretary for tho Navy, has made the following official statement in regard to the arrival of the first American war vessels in European water* Tho United States naval vessels have been operating with the allied fleets since May 4. The destroyers sailed from America at the. end of April, ready for operations, and were immediately drafted for service. They are commanded by Admiral W. S. Sims, whore plans with tho British and French navies are now being given effect to. It has been the purpose of the United States Navy to give the largest measure of assistance to the allies, consistent with the complete protection of our own coasts. The Navy Department has received no reports of engagements between United States and enemy vessels. Admiral Sir David Beatty, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, has sent the following message to Rear-Admiral H. T. Mayo, commander of thi United States Atlantic Fleet:—"The Grand Fleet rejoices that the Atlantic Fleet will now share the task of preserving the liberties Of the world, and maintaining the chivalry of the Boa." Rear-Admiral Mayo replied: —"The Atlantic Fleet welcomes these opportunities .to co-operate with the British Fleet for the freedom of the seas." There is the greatest satisfaction at tho arrival of the American flotilla in the war zono. The New York World says that moro warships are going to Europe, It believes that the Americans participated in the recent raid on Zeebrugge.