The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-04-21
PLAN 4 Big DRIVE
AGAINST U-BOATS
United States Navy Will Patrol
Atlantic SeabOard in Search
of Submarines.
WILL RELEASE ALLIED SHIPS
Conference Between Naval Officers at
Washington Discuss Program
Plans Are Carefully Guarded.

Washington, April 13.-The United
States Navy is to take complete re-
sponsibility for the war patrol of the
Atlantic Coast from Nova Scotia to
Panama, one of the biggest contracts
the naval forces of this country have
ever undertaken, and in addition. as
speedily as possible, Will furnish ac-
tive assistance in running down sub
marines in and around the German
barred zone.
This was disclosed officially tonight
following an all day conference be-
tween Admiral Benson, chief of oper-
ations for the United States navy;
Rear Admiral NJ. E. Browning of the
British navy, and Rear Admiral R. A
Grassett of the French navy Other
high officials of the three navies were
present at the meeting.
A Great Drive on U-Boats.
The two high officers of the British
and French navies reached Washing
ton yesterday morning Publication
of their arrival was withheld by the
censors until tonight, when it had
been definitely established that there
would be no hitch in plans for naval
cooperation by the three great powers.
The long patrol of the Atlantic coast
from British to South American wat
ers to be undertaken by the United
States navy will free the large num-
Der of allied cruisers which for two
years have been stationed on this side
of the Atlantic, for service in the
barred zone
1t officially is stated to mean that
one Of the greatest sea drives of the
war is going to be made on the Ger
man submarine menace. In this drive
the United States ultimately is to have
a leading part. The exact means and
methods whereby the United States,
England and France hope not only to
cripple, but actually drive the sub
marine from the seas will not be dis
closed. The plans will be guarded
as military secrets of the most conf
| Dental nature.
Expect Germans to Act.
! OF scarcely secondary importance in
| the plans for smashing the German
submarine outlaws was the official
announcement today that the shipping
board definitely has approved plans
of unprecedented proportions to lit
/ orally cover the seas with food and
munition bearing ships.
War Council in Washington.
Washington, April 12-AssembIy in
Washington within a few weeks of
great international war council was
foreshadowed by an announcement
from the state department today that
a British commission, headed by Ar
| thur J. Balfour, minister of foreign
| affairs, is expected to arrive within
ten days to discuss with the govern
ment here questions connected with
the conduct of the war In addition
to the foreign minister, the commits
sion will include Admiral Dechair Of
the British navy, General Bridges Of
the army and the governor of the
Bank Of England, attended by nu-
merous staff.
Details Not Known.
This was as far as the announce
ment made by the state department
/ goes, but it was learned authorita-
lively that a French commission com
posed of officials equally as distin-
guished as the British representatives
also will be in Washington about the
same time. This commission will be
headed by NJ Viviani, at present min
lister of justice in the French cabinet,
and formerly premier.
1t is not known definitely whether
any of the other allied powers viii
send commissioners to Washington
but it is assumed that owing to the
difficulties in passage and the prob
able delay, the interests of these gov.
ernments will be confided to their
resident ambassadors.
/ u S. TO Avoid Alliance.
+ Beyond the statement that the OBJ
ject of the commission is to discuss
generally questions of policy connect
ed with the war, no information was
given at the state department 1t was
made clear, however, that in no way
will the United States government de
part from the traditional policy OF
avoiding anything in the nature OF po
liticaI alliances, though OF course thai
does not exclude full and intimate
military and naval cooperation in the
prosecution Of the war.
Mir pIo4e Ia c,tskar,.g-