Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-12
NAVY SECRETS GIVEN
ENEMY MAY PROVE
. DISASTROUS-DAN|ELS
Secretary in a Statement De-
CIares "a Relative" Given
Confident Information, May
Have Informed Germany

WASHINGTON, June s.-Conyinced
that valuable naval information Is
reaching the enemy. Secretary Daniels
issued an order today at the urgent re-
quest OF Admiral Benson. chief of opera
lions. forb!dding all persons in the ma
val service from discussing. except Of
ncially. even among themselves or with
members OF their families. any ques-
tiOn relating TO the disposition. move
ments or proposed movements OF naval
or military forces"
The department acted only after Of
hcers of the intelligence division had re-
ported that information. the nature OF
which was not disclosed. had leaked
through somehow TO Germany. Mr.. Dan
iels said he had hesitated to issue the
order for many days. not desiring 10
hamper unduly officers and others in the
service: but that his military advisers
had been very urgent There was no
thought. he said. that any person in the
navy had revealed the plans OF the de-
partment except through inadvertence.
The secretary pointed out that ex-
perisnces OF the allies had shown that
very unimpOrtant seeming news was
sometimes a SUFFICIENT clue for an alert
foe 10 determine a movement in ad-
vance
The purpose Of the department are
fully explained in the order. which Sec
rotary 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 a character
most valuable 10 the enemy and which
might prove most disastrous to the navy
has in some way reached the enemy.
in view OF the strenuous efforts
that have been made TO prevent the
dissemination of such information the
department believes that in practically
every instance this has resulted from
certain Information being given in con-
fidence 20. or spoken in the presence OF.
a close relative or a friend. who failing
to appreciate the gravity OF the offense.
Inadvertently transmitted IL into the
hands OF those who most desired to OBJ
tain IT,"
THE department has on previous &C.
casions endeavored to impress upon ev-
cry one in the naval service the urgent
necessity for carefully guarding against
the dissemination OF any military in
formation which could possibly be of adj
vantage TO an enemy. The situation at
this time is entirely too grave TO per-
NIT Of a continuance of present prac-
tees in this regard"
So serious has become the spy menace
IN Washington. Secretary OF the Navy
Daniels late this afternoon issued the
following general orders:
-''Officers. enlisted personnel and civil
ian employees are hereby directed not to
discuss any question relating to the
disposition. movements or proposed
movements OF naval or military forces
at any time except officially either
among themselves or with any person
outside the naval service II should be
clearly understood that families and
relatives arc to be considered as out
side the naval service
All persons who attempt to obtain
prohibited information from persons in
the naval service should be regarded
with suspicion and reported without de-
lay to the proper authorities.
Those to whom a knowledge OF a
ISOLATION OF this order comes shall con-
slider it q serious official duty to re-
port the matter Immediately to the
navy department for disciplinary action.
This order shall be read to the
crews OF all naval vessels and shall
De posted IN conspicuous places on
board all ships of the navy. Chiefs OF
bureaus and commandants of navy
Yards and stations win see that it Is
brought TO the attention OF all persons.
civil and military"