Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-17
STARS AND STRIPES
CARRIED ACROSS OCEAN


sand miles from home. out in the gray
waters OF the Atlantic and the North
Sea. feet OF American dcstroycrs to-
night is hunting down German sub
marines.
= The stars and Stripes have been car
Fried across the ocean, The America n
navy has taken its place beside the
fleets of its European allies.
Official admission that American war
{ Ships have Joined the ranks of the
allied navics in the search for subma-
rincs in these very waters which the
submarines have made their hunting
ground was made by Secretary of the
Navy Daniels tonight. He said
United States naval vessels have
been operating with allied naval forces
in European waters since May A. \
number Of dcstroycrs sailed from
American ports in the latter part OF
April. and all arrived at their destina-
tons without accident or delay of any
kind.
They were prepared for operations
when they arrived. and went into serv-
ice Immediately.
THE United States vessels are under
~
Sims. who went to England and France
several weeks ago to arrange for active
cooperation between the naval forces
OF the United States and those of the
other nations at war with Germany.
Plans formulated after reports from
Rear Admiral Sims, made as n result
OF his conferences with the British and
French Admralties. are now being
eIectuated.
lit has been the purpose of the
United States Navy to give the largest
measure of assistance to the other
countries at war with Germany that is
consistent with full and complete pro-
lection Of our own coasts and terri
lorlal waters The Navy Department
-has received no reports that engage
Sments have occurred between United
States vessels now in European waters
and the vessels of the enemy"
PERSONNEL. SELECTED
WITH UTMOST CARE
The destroyer Notilla is under com
mand OF Rear Admiral William s. Sims,
one Of the most expert officers OF the
navy. It's personnel was selected with
tho utmost care. When it left Amer
lean shores late in April it carried with
ii the best the navy had.
1t had been known in Washington
for several weeks that American de-
s,royers were cooperating with the
British and French n;,vies in European
waters. For military reasons. the
newspapers agreed to withhold the
news under the voluntary censorship.
I, was not until the British Nd
miralty. apparently for the effect the
announcement would have on the
morale of tHe British armies and peo-
pie, mad*- bn6lic the fact that Old
Glory was flying beside the Tricolor
and Union Jack out in the waters
which the Germans have made grave
yard OF the merchant navics, that the
g. government here allowed the news TO
p be made public.
!. The number OF ships in the foreign
:: squadron is withheld by naval authori-
= ties because of its military character.
Z Secretary Daniels explained that the
- government decided to send naval
y force 10 Europe on the strength of re-
& ports from Rcar-Admiral Sims. who
~ went 10 London about eight weeks
y ago and engaged in extensive con-
: rerences with the British Admiralty
= there and the French Admiralty in
gy Paris. 7, took almost three weeks TO
Y make the necessary preparations, as
~ the United states wanted its first cN-
81 rcdition 10 leave nothing undone in
y The way OF completeness and readiness
u for action The ships were manned
y. with The finest destroyer force in the
~ service. outn,ied TO the last detail. and
- thrn sent on their way. The officers
i. in command of the ships when war
e was declared sim hold their bcrths
= but the crews were picked with the
:: utmost care.
=. SIMS IN ARsOIuTE:
:. COMMAND or FLOTILI.>
q ADMIRAL Sims is in full command
o. His power IS more absolute even than