New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-12
Daniels Victory
Dwindles When
Error Is Found
Dispatch He Read Proudly as
Six U-Boats Sunk" Proves
One, Probably
BY c. w. Gilbert

BY {. w. Gilbert
WASHINGTON, Sept. l1.-This morn
ing, when the correspondents gathered
TO learn of the triumphs of our navy
on the sea, Secretary Daniels made the
following announcement, grammar and
all, exactly as here reproduced:
The Navy Department received re-
port from Paris which states that the
steamer Westwego reported on the
Sth Of September while cruising with
several other ships. was attacked by n
msssed force Of six submarines off the
coast Of France on the 5th OF Septem-
Der. The result of this attack being
that two Of the steamers attacked were
sunk and probably all of the subma-
rines were lost"
He read it with that unctuous voice
which he employs to tell of the major
victories of this country's sea forces.
1t is a voice that carries conviction.
Secretary Daniels believes himself
and he inspires belief. He finds no
difficulty in accepting story that six
submarines have been sunk-bsng!
Just like that, probably by one shot.
And why shouldn't he? Did it not
come by cable? Wasn't it decoded,
typewritten on green paper, sent from
Communication" to Operations and
from Operations" to the secretary's
desk, encountering all along the line
that readiness to believe which makes
the Navy Department the best source
Of cheering news in Washington?
Chance for Question? NO!
Why should the Secretary question
so authentic q document Hadn't he
been able to announce in the same
proud way almost every day that some
American ship had probably" sunk
one, two or three submarines? The
numbers were sure TO increase with
Josephus Daniels's ships on the job
Well. they had. Bang! Six all in one
bag. .u
The Secretary announced it without
blinking an eye. without having ms
voice hesitate for moment as he rea1
for the first time of his unparalleled
achievement. Six in one bag, or let
us say probably" And thus he eX-
hibited what psychologists call the
"will 70 believe" at its highest, which
is saving a great deal when previous
Of the Navy Depart
uent are taken into consideration
Then the Correction
A noment after the announcem"n;
Nos rnade there reached the Secretary's
desk a correction. There seems TO De
little doubt that the correction vac
nronptly available, though what NJ
ersl minded drudge with patient apt!-
tudc for facts discovered the error,
natural confusion between six and one
and insisted upon trying 70 overtakc
and spoil a good story, is not kno"A'
The censorship surrounds him with
cloud. -.
Suspicion points 70 the press agent
of the Navy Department, dry-as-duSt
fellow. with no imagination compared
10 the men he has TO work for. IL
makes no difference. Let truth DC
ANONYMOUS and in disfavor. II mas
nastv habits and if left to itself might
nroduce n panic. Anyway, truth IN
This particular instance was crushed 10
the top Of Josephus Dsniels's desk,
under a paper weight or something
from IL q. m. till 2:30 p. m.
Meanwhile, extras" carried the great
news Of the sinking Of SIX submarines
over the land that pays Josephus's sal
ary and which naturally enjoys evl-
dences that it is getting its moneys
worth. We are a thrifty people. Knots
of excited Senators gathered at the
Capitol and discussed how long 1t would
be. at six submarines day, before
Josephus would bring about peace. Few
Senators have the will to believe. Ihey
are one Of the weaknesses OF the
Washington situation.
Correspondents who in some mys-
terious way had learned that the org
inal message had said one instead OF
six submarines had probably been lost
buttonholed their best sources Of IN
formation" in the Navy Department in
dark corners, where the censor's eyes
were not. Then at 2:3O truth shook
off the Josepkus paper weight and
rose, rose again as II is promised. the
Secretary made this announcement:
Error in Transmitting"
"Mv attention has just been called
to a serious error made in transcribing
the report of the attack made on the
Wcstwego and other vessels. | gave
the report to the press this morning
exactly as it was presented TO me, stat
ing that probably all of the submar-
ines were lost The cablegram. find
now, stated that one of the submar-
ines was probably lost"