The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-10-04
BRITISH WITHHOLD
THEIR SECRETSOF
NAVAL WARFARE
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Continued from First Page.)

NSOullhucu from First PaRe.D
ment officials confident that an un-
Outstanding will be reached without
delay.
Somebody in the British Admiralty
over-zealous perhaps to protect naval
secrets, is responsible for the policy
of reluctance, and this II not at all
unusual in time of war when every
effort is made to protect inventions
States are so closely affiliated nova
days in finance and other phases of
the war that II conceivably the Amer
team torpedo boat destroyers convoy
ing American ships and American
lives are not able to resist the Ger
man submarine because OF an I'M
explained desire on the part Of the
British navy to keep for itself some
OF the new devices which the war has
produced. there will not be as hearty
cooperation or as enthusiastic
spirit in the American navy as should
prevail between allied powers.
Becoming widespread.
The essential point, however. which
the British must realize is that feel
ing OF disappointment IL becoming
widespread among American naval
officers, and this should not be per-
mitted to grow. The impression is
there, and can be removed only by
deeds. In fact one hears already
much talk among naval officers here
that It Is not healthy in wartime.
The British, for instance. are criti-
eised for not sharing secret service
reports with American naval authori-
ties wherewith to apprise American
destroyers of certain facts necessary
for them to have while on naval pa
troll In European waters. A disin-
clination on the part OF England to
discuss combined naval operations on
large scale Is another topic fire.
Quently referred to as proving that
Great Britain and the United States
should be brought closer together in
an effort to use all available naval
strength against q common enemy.
In one case, Il is related, that GER
tain forgings necessary for American
torpedoes were asked for by the Navy
Department, but no attention was
paid to the request. The aid OF Am
bassador Page had to be invoked
finally to get action.
Frank and Generous.
TnG bTlIlbn
a large number OF army officers In
this country and Is frank and gen.
erous with information about mill
tary experience, but there are few
British naval officers here. Admiral
de Chair made a fne impression here
when he came with Arthur James
BaIfour, the British foreign secre-
tary, but no one OF his rank or dis
tInction is stationed in the United
States any longer. Much difficulty
could be avoided IL someone in whose
Judgment the British admiralty had
complete faith were kept In Wash
inEton to whom the Navy Depart
ment might turn for advice and in
formation.
1t Is dIsagreeable to enter any criti-
cIsm OF the activity or lack OF &C
tivity Of any nation with which the
United States is allied, but unless the
British admiralty is apprised through
American public opinion Of the dan
gers OF a policy OF reluctance and reti-
cence about naval secrets and devices
the cooperation which everybody in
the United States desires to see ef-
fected in order to win the war will
not be accomplished.
Authorities Delighted.
American military authorities are
delights with the cooperation they |
are getting from the British army. |
and hops here is that a similar en-
tents cordiale may be developed be-
tween the British and American ma
vies. 1t may turn out the Great Brit
ain has been having trouble with pat
emit rights or that somebody in the 1
British admiralty has been pursuing |
a policy that when examined will not
meet with the approval Of higher Off
Gals, but in any event the United
States is looking expectantly and
hopefully to London for an early ad-
justment OF the difficulty.