The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-10
NAVY SECRETS
LEAK TO BERLIN
Secretary Daniels Says Valua-
BILE Information Is Reach.
ing the Enemy.

WASHINGTON, June gX-Convinced
that valuable naval Information is
reaching the enemy. Secretary Daniels
issued an order to-day at the urgent re-
quest OF Admiral Benson. Chief OF Op-
erations, forbidding all persons in the
naval service from discussing except
officially. even among themselves or with
the members of their families. ANY
question relating to the disposition,
movements or proposed movements or
naval or military forces
The purposes of the Department are
fully explained In the order. which Sec
| retary Daniels was careful to explain
did not refer to the press and was in
no sense an effort to prevent the news
papers from getting news. The order
follows:
"The Navy Department has reason to
believe that information of character
, most valuable to the enemy and which
might prove most disastrous to the navy
has in some way reached the enemy.
surmises How Leak Occurred.
I'm view OF the strenuous efforts that
have been made to prevent the dissem-
nation of such information the Depart
ment believes that In practically every
instance this has resulted from certain
information being given in confidence to
or spoken in the presence OF close
relative or friend, who. failing to appre-
ciate the gravity of the offence. mad
vertently transmitted it into the hands
OF those who most desired to obtain 1t.
THE Department has on previous oc-
casions endeavored to impress upon
every one In the naval service the urgent
necessity for carefully guarding against
| the dissemination OF any military in
formation which could possibly be OF
/ advantage to an enemy. The situation
! at this time Is entirely too grave to per-
I nit OF continuance of the present prac-
! tice In this regard.
"Ofiicers. enlisted personnel and civil
ian employees are therefore directed no;
TO discuss any question relating TO the
disposition. movements or proposed
movements of naval or military forces
/ Gncluding personneD at any time. ex-
cept officially, either among themselves
or with any person outside the naval
service Ii should be clearly under
stood that families and relatives are
to be considered as outside the naval
service
Threatens Disciplinary Action.
IAN persons who attempt to obtain
prohibited information from persons in
the naval service should be regarded
I with suspicion and reported without
delay to the proper authorities.
Those to whom a knowledge OF vio-
lation OF this order comes shall con-
slider 1t a serious official duty to report
the matter Immediately to the Navy De-
partment for disciplinary action.
This order shall be read to the crews
of all naval !essels and shall be posted
In conspicuous places on board all ship.
OF the navy. Chiefs of bureaus an6
comma ndants of navy yards and stations
will see that II Is brought to the at
tention of all persons, civil and military
under their orders
Referring to persistent and widely cir
culated false reports Of naval battles
and disaster to American and Entente
forces the Secretary issued the follow
ing statement:
THE country is being poisoned by
rumors Of battle and disaster that are
absolutely without the slightest founda
tlon in truth.
An Organized Conspiracy.
Reports from the commandants OF
naval districts. kilograms from newspa
pers and letters from individuals have
forced me to the conclusion that there i!
an organized conspiracy on foot to alarm
and distress the people OF the United
".,- ,l ,,os, ,o,s,e,an, 80 .,n,
false reports is one that naval en-
sasenle"' ns ,.'
5ian u ~ ITn,,oI S,a,a 49,
oI rms ~, "nu a.,Io 49,, r.a,te,' 'n'
.na. m ~" nh,n. r,sr. s,,r,, ~ d,sa 80 ~, Nv
tmn y, tbe % n,nher beino The penns,'
TWO o, nd "a, ,ha u.r,Us maxos WINS '"s ie""''' !
In elaboration of this falsehooC
tl,ar 10 ,Iha1 thaf IA.