New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-13
Britain Welcomes U.S..
To the Night Of War;
Sees Dawn Of Peace
u. S. Naval Patrol
Discussed with
Allies Admirals
America Will Safeguard Flood
of Supplies for the
Allies

Washington, April l2.-The details OF
the participation of the American navy
in the war are already being worked
out by an international council here.
Vice-Admiral Browning, Of the Royal
British navy, and Admiral Grasset, OF
the French navy. conferred to-day with
Secretary Daniels and Admiral Ben
son. Chief Of Operations.
Though no formal agreement has
been negotiated, it can be authorita-
lively asserted that the first step OF
American naval forces will be TO relieve
the Allies of the entire Atlantic patrol
from Panama to Newfoundland. IL is
probable the American navy will not
assume full charge Of the patrol at
once. but will gradually expand It's OPP
erations until eventually the entire task
of keeping the Atlantic waterway open
falls to the United States.
This is the natural first function OF
the United States in the war, oihclals
declare, and is an important element
in maintaining an uninterrupted now
of food supplies and munitions to the
Entente nations.
At the conference to-day the Allied
naval officials supplied Admiral Ben
son with much valuable information
regarding the Atlantic patrol problem
pointing out the difficulties encountered
/ in the last two years. Admiral Mayo
and Captain II. B. Wilson, who arc IN
command of the Atlantic feet. were IN
communication with the Navy Depart
ment nearly all day and were fully
apprised of all matters discussed a.
the conference.
A high navy official said to-day tina
eventually the operations OF the amer
ican navy probably would include U.s.
Of the British naval bases at haiiia'
and Jamaica. 49,, A.. $50,
;,terrunted flow of oil from Iampic'
~ tho Allied fleets was one Of the cnie
; subjects of to-day's conference. ~ II
unGerstood that one of the immediate
furctions of the American naval force'
viii no 10 safeguard the Alfred oil
transports against attack by German
.,h,narines. In this connection there
are persistent, though unverlneu, nc re
norts of the presence oil l -oosts III III
/ caribbean and of submarine pases Il
Mexico. ~ p.;,;sb an,
French forces off the American coSs1s
!, is known. have expected that ger
many would extend her SUBMARINE
operations to these waters,
Arrangements 20 patrol the ap
ryoaches 10 the chief American hsroor'
/ have been made and will be carried ou
b,. American ships. 1t has been eX
I Doc,od that Germany would formal!
announce a submarine blockade OF bos
o. Va,v York. the mouth of the Deia
',.,o ' Tho mouth of the Chesapeake
! Cbarioston and Savannah. These ar
,ho arteries through which flows TN
main traffic in foOdstufs and war sup
plies for Europe.
Many navy officers doubt that an!
oonsiderable number Of German sub
marines can be spared from the task o
hiocLading the British Isles for wor
on this side Of the Atlantic. Sporadl
Cnerations are looked for, however;
The Navy Department has consluet, ,
aole supply of submarine trap nets al
readv available and more Will be de
iivered within a few days. IL IS as
sumed that the approaches to Amer
con barbors will be fully protected II
this way.