U.S. NAVY AND THE WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14361, 12 May 1920, Page 5

U.S. NAVY AND THE WAR

MR. WILSON'S SECRET ORDERS. PRUDENCE- TO GO BY THE BOARD. EVERYTHING TO WIN. (Adstralian and N.Z. Cable Assd.) Received May 11, 9.55 p.m. WASHINGTON. May 11. Mr .1. Daniels, Secretary Of the Navy, lias disclosed Mr Wilson's secret instructions to the navy, delivered abraj'd the Atlantic lleet on August 11, i!)i7. Mr Wilson ordered the officers to throw tradition to liie winds, to strike the word/'prudent" oul of bheir vocabularies and In acl audaciously to the utmost point of risk and daring. Alluding to the British Admiralty statements that certain things had never been don.?, Mr Wilson pointed out that that was just the reason why the American navy ought, to attempt them. ' ' Mr Wilson, referring - to-the submarine menace, said he was willing to sacrifice half the American and British navies if only they could destroy -theGerman hornet's nest., Mr Wilson announced his willingness to place himself al the disposal of any officer of the navy who could show him liowthe war was lo lie won. Mr Wilson concluded by saying that without disparagement of olhcr navies, he hoped that things would begin to happen when the American navy began lo fight. Mr Daniels asserted that Admiral Sims and the British Admiralty combined and delayed Hie 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. ENGLAND'S OLD-FASHIONED WAYS. MB WILSON DISSATISFIED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 12, 11 a.m. WASHINGTON. May 11. ,Mr Daniels told the Senate Naval Investigation Committee to-day that Mr Wilson was dissatisfied with the manner in which England and her navy managed their end of the war up to the summer of 1017. and so expressed himself in a confidential message lo the United States fleet, when Mr Wilson said: "Every time we' have suggested anything the. British Admiralty replied, 'J I has never been done that way before.' I felt like saying. thtt nothing had ever been done sO systematically as nothing was now I>eing done. I was willing to sacrifice half the United States and British fleet, together to crush the submarine nest." It look six months lb get the British approval of the North Sea mine, barrage, which have been adopted much earlier had Admiral Sims urged it instead uf airing his own objections.