The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-23
DANIELS ADMITS
SEA FIGHT FAKE
Secretary of Navy, Explains
Story of Two "Attacks" on
U. s. Transports.

WASHINGTON, July ga new version
OF the submarine attack on the trans
ports carrying the Pershing division of
American troops which admits that
there was no battle" between the sub
marines and the conveys or destroyers
was made public tonight by Secretary
of the Navy Daniels
Mr. Daniels stirred patriotic ardor on
July by announcing an American vic
tory In the first naval battle with the
enemy. He described two attacks in
force" by German submarines on the
transports and stated that American de-
stroyers were believed to have sunk one
submarine in the second encounter.
Subsequently Chairman Cree of the
Committee on Public Information ex-
planned that he had elaborated Admiral
Gleavess somewhat cryptic" report of
the incidents but had not departed from
the strict line of fact
Thereupon Senator Penrose offered a
resolution in the Senate calling for the
Gleaves report. The resolution was re-
ferred to the Committee on Naval
Affairs, to the chairman OF which, SEN
ator Tillman, Mr.. Daniels addressed the
explanation he now makes public.
Daniels Defends Statement.
In his letter Mr.. Daniels defends the
statement given to the public and as
sures the Naval Committee that the text
of the Gleaves despatch is subject to It's
inspection, although II obviously cannot
be made public because Of the names OF
vessels and other military information
II contains.
Late in the afternoon of July g."
wrote the Secretary, the welcome news
CaNN fknf hA lauN oh, in 49, he
and transports carrying the first Ameri-
can soldiers and marines to fight in
France had reached its destination in
safety, without accident or injury to
men or ships.
This relief was, of course, shared by
all others in the Department. who had
been apprehensive every minute since
June 2s, when Admiral Gleaves, in a
brief cable. had reported that sub
marines had made attacks upon two d.
visions OF the transports.
He Explains the Changes.
Gated by an officer of the department
hastened to the War Department to ap-
prise the Secretary of War of the fact,
for knew he had felt the deepest solicit
tude, as he too was informed of the at
tacks
"At once a statement was prepared
and given out that evening which knew
would intensely crafty all Americans
The message of Rear Admiral Gleaves
announcing the attacks. of course. had
not been given TO the public. and conse-
quently 1t had been spared anxiety. The
statement which / gave to the public
conveyed the feeling of all who had
been waiting and hoping for the reas-
suring telegram.
"ReJOicinG Was Warranted"
THE facts were stated not in the very
words of the Gleaves cablegram. for 1t is
the immemOrial policy OF the Department
in time of war not TO employ the lam
guRge OF a message coming In code.
Otherwise 1t would be easy for the enemy
to learn the cipher, Moreover, the mes
sage OF the Rear Admiral contained the
names Of the ships. which for military
reasons are never given out during a
war
THE important part of the statement
given to the public was that all our SOL
diers and marines and ships had been
conveyed to France In safety. Two Of
the groups arrived without being at
tackled and two were unsuccessfully at
tackled. If the terms battle and at
tackled In force are open to criticism
the fact still remains that the rejoicing
was warranted, II the torpedoes in
| either OF the attacks had sunk American
ships the criticism made would not have
concerned itself with the difference be-
tween what might have been called a
I battle or an encounter or brush
1.-THE cablegrams from the Rear Ad-
miral which have not been given to the
public for reasons stated above, are, OF
course. subject to the inspection of the
| Naval Affairs Committee"