New-York tribune., 1919-05-18
Daniels, Back From Europe,
Says Final Disposition
of Surrendered Fleet Is
Still Under Discussion
Has Praise for French
U. S. Programme Not Bluff
and Will Be Pushed Unless
League Plans Intervene

What disposition the United States
will make of the captured German war
ships to be turned over to this coun-
try still remains a problem, according
to Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the
Navy, who arrived at Hoboken yester
day on the transport Mount Vernon,
after five weeks in Europe. There is
little likelihood that an effort will be
made to remodel them as units for
the American navy, he believes.
Investigation proved, Secretary Dan
iels said, that Germany had planned
to make a victorious sweep of the
North Sea, for her ships were heavily
armored and their steamng radius
respondingly small. This would
make it costly procedure to convert
them, he said.
Proposals to sink the ships, Secre-
tary Daniels said, we're in the majority
but there was q decided opinion among
others that such disposition would con-
stitute great waste. Admiral Benson
favored the destruction, he said, be-
cause of its great moral effect.
Will Press Navy Programme
The tendency of some critics of the
Administration to characterize the
American naval programme as a
bluff" was answered by the Secretary
with an announcement that it would
be carried out to the letter.
"The policy of our navy has been
agreed upon" he said. at is not q
bluff and it will be carried out un-
less the league of nations covenant
shall give reasons for changes. That
is a matter that cannot be settled i'm
nsdiately. In case the naval pro-
gramme as already agreed upon is the
proper course to pursue, I will take
VI all matters pertaining to it with
the new chairmen of the House and
Senate Naval Affairs committees"
Of his tour of investigation the Sec
retary said:
Upon our arrival at Brest we were
received most cordially by Admiral
Moreau, and we had every facility for
the inspection and study of the various
activities of that port, through which
the largest number of our troops have
passed. The cooperation between
French and American navy officers, as
we'll as French and American arm,
officers, has been all that could be de
sired.
Studied Foreign Ships
"The large arsenal and dockyard
and models of the latest French bat
tleships were studied and opinions
exchanged between our own anc
French naval experts. At Paris, like
conferences were held with NJ
Leyeues, Minister of Marines; Admira
Du-Bon, Chief of Staff of the French
navy, and heads OF different bureaus
and all questions of construction anC
naval policy were freely and fully dis
cussed.
"In Paris we had the advantage Of
having with US Admiral Benson, Chic
of Naval Operations, and naval adviser
to the peace commission.
"In Rome we found cordial welcome
from Admiral Del Bono, Minister o.
Marine. and the leaders of the ltaliar
navy. Long conferences were held be
tween the American and Italian bureau
chiefs Naval matters, similar to thos,
taken up with the French Admiralty
were discussed.
"The party visited large hangar!
near Rome where a large sdirigible il
under construction for the Unite,
States, and the large seaplane station
at Venice Visits were made t.
Italian battleships.
ut was a pleasure to meet nava
representatives from China and Japan
who are, like US, deeply concerned il
promoting a world peace based ol
justice.
Included in the interesting worl
we accomplished was the survey mad
of the British shipyards and the com
posite ship Hood of the Englisl
navy. She has both speed and armo
and is the most modern war vesse
afloat. But the English are building
no more like her"
Doughboys Coming Home
The American doughboys who ar
now in France are to be shipped hom
as speedily as possible, the Secretar,
promised, and by July l there will b
no more than 100000 overseas. Afte
that, he predicted, these will be re
leased rapidly.
Secretary Daniels was accompanie
by Rear Admiral Robert F. Griffin
chief OF the Bureau of Steam Enpi
neering; David w. Taylor, chief c
the Bureau of Construction and r,
pair; Ralph Earle, chief Of the Burca
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