The Washington times., 1917-02-22
NAVY OECRETSLEAK,
DECLARES ADMIRAL
Foreign Nations Know Details
of Construction of New
Battle Cruisers.
BUILDERS ARE SUSPECTED
Chief Engineer Declares Hope
of Stealing March"
Is Futile.

Important secrets of naval construc-
ton contained in the plans for the
new battle cruisers TO be built for the
United States navy have Leaked out"
to foreign governments, according to
a statement made today by Rear Ad-
miraI Robert W. Griffin, engineer-in-
chief of the navy.
According TO Admiral Griffin, there
is strong reason to believe that the
information was passed on to these
foreign governments by some of the
engineers and shipbuilders who were
prospective bidders on the battle cruis-
ers, and TO whom plans for the ships
were sent in confidence.
While he declined to disclose in
detail the character of the informa-
tIon that was passed on in this fash
ion, or to indicate the persons sus-
pected, he gave it to be understood
that the department believes that
practically all the information intend
ed to be kept secret is now known
abroad.
Hope of Secrecy Futile.
ANY hope of the United States be-
ing able to. steal a march on foreign
navies, as matters now stand,' de-
clared Admiral Griffin, seems futile.
We have long since been forced to be-
lieve that it is a practical impossi-
bility to keep secret any of our under
takings..
Experience with the design of the
battle cruisers has proved beyond
question of doubt that some of the
American engineers and shipbuilders
to whom these plans were sent in
confidence are not worthy of the trust
that was imposed in them.
Despite their frequent protesta-
tions of patriotism, 1 am convinced
that some of these men may be de-
pended upon TO keep foreign govern
ments fully informed regarding naval
secrets that come into their possess
sion.'
Admiral Griffin added that within
a week after the plans for the battle
cruisers were sent out to prospective
bidders last fall. a man came to see
him in Washington who was not
shipbuilder, engineer. or any sub
contractor for any of the companies
to whom the plans were sent, nor in
any sense one who was entitled to
know anything concerning the de-
tailed designs and drawings for the
ships.
Startled Admiral.
- was perfectly aghast," said Ad-
miral Griffin. "to find that this man,
who wanted to suggest some changes
in design. appeared to be in posses
sion of intimate knowledge concern
ing the plans. When 1 requested to
be informed as to how he came to
know about these matters, he simply
said that hei had been told about
them
Subsequently, Admiral Griffin stated.
he was surprised TO see an article in
a London engineering magazine discuss
ing with considerable familiarity var
ious novel features of construction called
for in the plans for the battle cruisers.
Bids for the battle cruisers were
opened at the Navy Department last
December. Owing TO the unwillingness
of the bidders to furnish estimates
within the limits fixed by law. consider
able discussion has since followed in an
effort to fix adjustments on a cost plus
profit basis. Likewise there has been
cOnsidera BILE agitation stirred up by
certain bidding interests against the
electric drive" engines called for in
the specifications.
Revealed Boiler Locations.
The adaptation Of the electric drive to
battle cruisers is a distinct departure
in naval construction, and while the
idea itself was not secret, the placing
Of the engines and other features in
connection with the ships were matters
which the Navy Department disclosed to
the prospective bidders under strict in
functions Of secrecy, according to Rear
Admiral Griffin. In the agitation against
the electric drive" he said today, no
hesitancy has been felt by private par
ties in disclosing the fact, for example,
that part Of the boilers Of the ships are
to be above the water line.
Suspicion as to the extent to which
private shipbuilders have been dis
closing confidential information con-
cerninE naval plans, it was indicated
st the Navy Department today, was
responsible for the action of Secretary
= of the Navy Daniels in urging upon
Congress, in his last annual mes
sage. 2 measure imposing heavy PEN
altics for such an offcnsc.
Definite Proof Lacking.
The battle cruisers for which these
plans were designed will be the first
ships of this type in the United
States navy. In designing them. the
Navy Department included a great
many features which were believed
to be unknown in naval construction
at that time.
While Rear Admiral Griffin eX-
pressed conviction that these secrets
have become known abroad, he ad-
mitted that he had no definite facts
10 show which Of the persons handling
them had communicated the plans to
foreign governments, or as to exactly
what governments had obtained them.
1t is understood. however, that agents
of the Government are investigating.
VETERAN PRINTER DEAD