The Washington herald., 1917-05-17
U. S. Ships At front
CoNrlNurD FROM PAGE ONE.

engagements have occurred between
United States vessels now in European
waters and the vessels of the enemy.
THE vessels were prepared for opera
tiOns when they arrived abroad and went
into service Immediately.
The United States vessels are under
command of Rear Admiral William S.
Sims. who went to England and France
several weeks ago to arrange for active
cooperation between the naval forces of
the United States and those of the other
nations at war with Germany. Plans
formulated after reports from Rear Ad-
miral Sims, made as a result of his con-
ferenCes with the British and French ad-
miralties, are now being Effected
The number of ships in the foreign
squadron is withheld by naval authori-
ties because of its military character. 1t
may be stated, however, that the United
States is in the fight to a finish and will
furnish all vessels available that can be
built for the work of driving the U-boat
from the seas.
Secretary Daniels explained last night
that the government decided to send a
naval force to Europe on the strength of
reports from Rear Admiral Sims, who
went to London about eight weeks ago and
engaged in extensive conferences with the
British admiralty there and the French
admiralty in Paris.
1t took almost three weeks to make the
necessary preparations, as the United
States wanted its first expedition to leave
nothing undone in the way of complete
ness and readiness for action.
Stripped for Action.
The ships were completely stripped for
action in Eastern navy yards, manned
with the most expert destroyer force in
the service, outfitted to the last nut, bolt
and bullet, and then sent on their way.
The officers in command of the ships
when war was declared still hold their
berths, but the crews were picked with
the utmost care. No man not long train.
ed in destroyer work was allowed to go.
Green men on the ships for training were
transferred to other war vessels.
Admiral Sims is in complete and abso-
lutte command of the squadron. His
power is more absolute even than was
Dewey's at Minila after the cable was
cut. No departmental order has been
sent either for the direction or guidance
of the officer. Few reports have yet
been received from him, beyond those
which showed that the American officers
and bluejackets were doing their duty
and living up to the traditions of the
service in the best way.
The cooperative plans are all being
worked out in London at tri-partite con-
ferences OF American. French and British
officers, and Admiral Sims is guiding his
actions by the decisions of these confer
ences, not on orders from home.
Reports of Brush Untrue.
1t is not even known here yet whether
the American vessels have been in touch
with the enemy. Reports of brush be-
tween one of the destroyers and a Ger
man submarine have been proved untrue,
but as to whether there have been any
other engagements. no reports are yet
at hand.
Naval officials last night refused to
comment on the connection between the
arrival of an American destroyer force
in European waters and the coincident
reduction in merchant tonnage destroy
ed. Dispatches from London announce
a decided drop in the number of sub
marine victims.
The sending of a fleet abroad is the
second move in thefprogram OF naval CO.
operation worked out between the United
States and England and France.