The evening world., 1917-07-06
ELABORATED STORY
OF j BOAT FIGHTS
IS LAID TO CREEL
Accuracy Questioned, He Ad-
mits He Made More of Admi-
ralS Cryptic" Despatch.

WASHINGTON. July 6.--An Asso-
ciated Press report from England
tending TO dlscredlt the version OF
the German submarine attacks upon
the American expeditlonary force. as
written by George Creel and pub
nshed under the name OF Secretary
Daniels, has caused a furore at the
Navy Department.
The despatch was sent by an Asso-
ciated Press correspondent at the
base OF the American flotilla, in Brit
lsh waters. II said that in official
circles II was held that the state
ment telling OF two engagements with
submarines. given out in the name OF
Secretary Daniels. was Inaccurate.
The Washington manager OF the
Associated Press talked with Secre-
tary Daniels after the'despatch had
been sent out over the Associated's
wires. and then sent out a request to
all clients to "kill' the item, saying
Investigation convinces the Asso-
clated Press that the despatch was
unjustifed In tho light OF the official
reports from Admiral Gleaves and in
the light Of the official announce
ment made ut the time by Secretary
Daniels. Admiral Gleavos
reports his aunners were certain Of
having destroyed one submarine and
were certain they made hits on
others"
do you suppose for a moment
that l would have allowed that an
nouncement to 20 out under my
name II 1t had not been based upon
the official report from Admiral
Gleaves? Mr.. Daniels asked, In re-
plying to direct questions.
Mr.. Creel, who occupies the Joint
post OF censor and news distributor
fell into a rage whom asked for his
version. lie denounced t!e man re.
sponsible for the Associated Press
story and condemned in advance pa
pers which might dignity the con-
uIcting report W repuunsulng IL ht
insisted lnat the OuIClal version WA
true, but admitted tnaJ no mad ,"elap-
GRATED upon H.
A suggestion was made to Mr.
| Creel tndL the simple way to dispos,
OF the report, II untrue, would DO tC
print the text or tho report iron
| Rear Admiral Gleayes.
Il am going over 10 the Navy De-
partmenI ana advise Secretary Dan
iela to pay no attention Whatever q
these nasty reports from this unpa
/ a. = Vafa0l
much warmth. Nothing tnat baI
happened since the war began ha
aroused the patriotism of the Ameri
can people as much as this Fourth o
July announcement" no continued. IL
referring to the version OF the sub
marine attack written by himself
III everything that this country doe
during the war ~ to be subjected [,
attack by nasty newspapers W
might as well begin right mere to pu
an end to tho discussion by paylnI
no attention to them"
"Why not confound tho author o
this report by printing the text O
the Official announcement from Ad
mIral Gleaves?" MIR. Crecl was asked
"The nasty papers would even tr
10 discredit that II we were to pub
lish It," said Mr. Creel. his Warmt
waxing. III we begin to publish OF
hcial reports tho Germans woul
know Just where the attack wa
made and repulsed and then the
would know whoro the transport
rendeLVouCd,'
at is highly probable that thes
facts were IN tho possession OF IN
German Admiralty before the stor
OF the encounter was given out b
this committee" MI. Creel was re
minded.
"ThIs report came in several day
before II was given out for publica
ton" Mr.. Creol continued, in tellin
the chronology OF tho preparation {
tho announcement which was give
to the American people yesterda
. morning as u Fourth OF July presen
70 II went to Secretary Danielss o.
s flee. where he and Admiral Benso
had the report from Admiral Gleave
II was rather cryptic. We read
D over together and then sat dow
p and elaborated on the text Of tho d,
r ciphered message, then wrote Il
announcement which appeared undt
4 Secretary panieis'S name. II was Y
Is elaboration Of the original rspo
4. from Rear Admiral oleaVeS.'