Arizona republican., 1917-05-17

apparently enthusiastic for their task.
They are rtainly a fine body of
men, and what's more their craft look
Just as fit" said the British comman-
der, as he watched the destroyers file
seward.
one of the American destroyers be-
gan war duty even before reaching this
side of the Atlantic. This was when it
picked up and escorted through the
danger zone one of the largest OF the
Atlantic liners. This pleased the pas
sengers on board and they sent mes
sage of appreciation to the commander
of the destroyer The message reads:
British passengers on board a
steamer bound for British port under
the protection of an American torpedo
boat destroyer send their hearty greet
ings to her commander and her officers
and crew and desire to express their
keen appreciation of this practical CO.
operation between the government and
peoples of the United States and the
British empire, who are now fighting
together for the freedom of the seas"
Many enthusiastic persons managed
to get snapshots OF the American YES
sells in Queenstown harbor, but the
best pictures, and those that are des-
lined to become famous, are moving
pictures taken by the official British
government photographer as the flotil-
la steamed into port. With his camera
mounted on a small tug boat the oper-
ator went out to meet the destroyers
and filmed them from many angles.
Members of the crews of the destroy
ers' were granted brief shore leave.
They were fairly made captives by the
townspeople. who insisted on taking
them to their homes. where they pre-
scented the sailors with good things to
eat and drink. They were the first
American naval men seen in these
parts for many years and they were
bombarded with questions concerning
the happenings in America by people
who have relatives there.
After UBoat Menace
Washington, May 16.-Formal an
nouncement that American destroyers
manned by picked crews have carried
the flag into the war zones of Europe
and are operating against German sub
marines with British and French war
vessels was made tonight by Secretary
Daniels after the news had come from
London. The number and names OF
the vessels were not disclosed. II was
made clear however, that the fight
ing power of the nation was 10 b.
erted to its utmost to stamp out the
U-boat menace.
The secretarys statement follows
United States naval vessels have
been operating with the allied naval
forces in European waters since May
A. A number of destroyers sailed from
American ports in the latter part of
April and all arrived at their desit
destination with out accident. They
xTrar DIV fnx- = rba,, No.
arrived and went into service immedi-
ately.
1.-THE United States vessels are under
comamnd of Rear Admiral Sims, who
went to England and France several
weeks ago to arrange for active CO.
operation between the naval forces of
the United States and those of the
other nations at war with Germany
Plans formulated after reports from
Rear Admiral Sims, made as a result of
his conferences with the British and
French admiralties are now being eff
fectuated.
ut has been the purpose of the Unit
ed States navy to give the largest
measure of assistance to the other
countries at war with Germany that is
consistent with the full and complete
protection of our own coasts and ter
1.-The navy department has received
no reports that engagements have oc-
CURED between the United States YES
sells now in European waters and the
vessels of the enemy"
The disposition of the destrovers has
been left entirely to Admiral Sims who
worked out careful plan for use of
the vessels placed under his command
after conferences both with the British
and French admiralties.
Admiral Sims was selected for the
task because of his wide general ex-
perience in the navy and also because
of particular training in destroyer
operations.
Destroyers have proved the most eff
ficient foe Of submarines. Their values
has been SO great, that all possible eff
feet has been concentrated by the navy
department upon adding to the Amer
lean flotillas. More than fifty new
boats, swifter, more powerful and sea-
worthy and more heavily fitted than
any now in service are being built with
all possible haste
American destroyers are sturdy craft.
built for duty at sea. Special attention
was given to selecting the crews. Not
man will be sent to European waters
who has not had experience and train
ing in destroyer duty
Rear Admiral Gleaves. chief of the