Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-04-18
ENTENTE ADM|RALS
REACH WASHINGTON;
CONFERENCE HELD
British and French Sea Chiefs
Reach U. S. on FIagships.
U. S. TO PATROL LANES
Allies Craft viii Be Replaced by
American Warships-DanieIs
and Admiral Benson at
Meeting.

Washington, April 13.-Vice Admiral
Browning of the British navy and
Rear Admiral de Grasse of the French
navy conferred with Secretary Daniels
and Admiral Benson, chief of opera
lions. on cooperation between the al
lied navies for the conduct of the war.
Both foreign commanders came to the
United States on their fiagships.
The first step by the United States
navy in taking up its part of the war
operations will be to take over the At
lantic arr Caribbean path patrols
hitherto maintained by British and
French ships. No announcement of
the results of the conference was
made.
Eventually American ships probably
will relieve those of the allies In all
north and south Atlantic waters on
this side of the world Protection
would be furnished under that plan
for the Canadian coast and also for
British oil tankers plying to ports on
the Mexican and South American
coasts.
There are indications, however, that
the United States does not now con-
template any hard and fast agreement
as to the measures of cooperation.
What Is done will be determined by
the needs of the situation and the
ability of the navy to cary out a par
ticular part in the program.
viii Act as Fleet Grows.
As the strength of the American
fleet increases in small craft. subma-
rfnes, desuoyers ard other lighter
units, the portions allotted to that
feet ia the joint task of making GER
tain the freedom of the seas against
German submarines will be increased.
1t is assumed the visiting officers
furnished much first-hand information
| as TO the steps the entente powers
have found most effective in dealing
with the submarine peril.
1t was said the officers came primar-
fly for conferences with entente am
bassadOrs, but il Is expected that
much of their time viii be spent in
conference at the navy department. No
announcement was made as to the
probable length of their stay in Wash
ingtOn.
War Conferences With Allies.
The government began preparations
for important war councils to be held
here soon with commissions from Eng
land and France.
The state department announced that
| II expects the arrival within ten days
| of a British delegation. headed by For
| elgn Minister Arthur ]. Balfour, and
including Admiral de Chair. represent
| ing the navy; General Bridges, repre-
senting the army, and the governor OF
the Bank of England.
1t was learned authoritatively also
| that French commission, headed by
NJ Viviani, minister of justice and for
mer premier, will arrive about the
same time.
Official dispatches on the coming of
| the French and British commissions
only mention the possibility that Cen
eral Joffre may accompany former
Premier Vivianl, but DO not give any
definite announcement. While 1t is pos
sible that joint sessions will be held,
arrangements have not passed the pre-
liminary stage and no decision has
been reached. Discussion, it is indi-
Gated, wifi necessarily be confined to
the very broadcast phases.
Plots open to Warships.
American ports as result of the
meeting are opened TO whatever en-
tente war vessels find accession to call,
| and, in pursuance of It's patrol, the
United States is given the use of Ber-
muda, Jamaica, the Bahamas and 9TH
err British naval vases in the Atlantic.
Eventually, it was disclosed, the
American navy also will take over
Halifax as a base and extend its pa
troll to guard the Canadian coast.
BRAZIL WAR PLANS HALTED