The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-29
U. S. FORCESENT
TO DALMATIA BY
BRITISH ORDER
Action at Trau Taken
Without knowledge of
Navy Department.
SENATE TO MAKE INQUIRY
Directions Came From Ad-
miralty Via War Council
and Admiral Knapp.
SpeciN Despatch TO TIE sus.

Special Despatch TO TIE suS
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2s.-The landing
Of American sailors at Trau. ON the
lower Dalmatian coast, for the purpose
Of driving out the Italians and assist
ing the Jugo-Slav forces apparently
was ordered by the British Admiralty
without the knowledge or consent Of
the United States Navy Department.
Immediate investigation will be made
by the United States Senate. with
Senator Knox (Pa.) offering the first
move.
More than a score OF Senators are
stirred by the news that American
| armed forces, even before the forma-
ton of the League of Nations, are be-
ing directed by foreigpess. and incl
denta1ly are being assis1ied TO war
duty which the British and French
and Italians are not willing to per-
| form. In other words American armed
forces are being directed, against the
Italians at time when popular indig-
nation throughout Italy is at fever heat
over outside interference and Amer
lea, Senators charge, is being forced
| into a position of hostility toward
Italy which neither France nor Great
Britain would countenance for them
selves.
| Established Facts.
rTv.z CO.
pear already established:
Secretary OF the Navy Daniels,
who last week said ne could not
believe that American sailors were
being used in the manner described
by press cables now has official
information of the news.
The orders to Rear Admiral An
i drews, commanding the American
naval forces in the Adriatic, came
from the British Admiralty via the
War Council anG Rear Admiral
| Knapp in London.
| The approval or disapproval OF
the American Navy Department
was not asked and the details OF
the expedition would perhaps have
| not reached Secretary Daniels had
he not cabled specifically to Rear
| Admiral Andrews stating that re-
| markable reports were appearing
In the newspapers and asking II
| they were true.
/ Mr.. Daniels admittedly was placed in
peculiar position when cables reached
here stating that the forces over
which he is presumed to have exclusive
control were carrying on what amount
ed to naval warfare without his knowl-
edge. 1t was fully realized that the
British Admiralty might desire to
issue orders to Rear Admiral Andrews
to act on behalf OF Great Britain and
her allies, because the situation re-
quired sacrifice on the part OF some
nation II D'Annunzio's followers were
| to be held in check.
1t was realized further that under
the new League of Nations plan
foreigners would be in position to
direct American naval forces in emer-
gencies or without the consent OF the
American Navy Department. But as
the League is not yet sanctioned by
the United States and control of
Americas armed forces has not yet
passed out of the jurisdiction of the
American people, II was not believed
possible that the American navy could
be directed to undertake warlike ex-
pedition without the consent OF the
head OF the American navy. 1t may
have been for this reason that Secre-
tary Daniels was so sure that the re-
ports In the press could not be correct
until he had official confirmation.
Senators Are Alarmed.
Senators are frankly alarmed over the
developments. Mr.. Daniels is in no way
held accountable because he had nothing
| whatever to do with this American ex
| trrhtH
heavy casualties among the landing
forces had not the Italians withdrawn
No blame is attached TO Rear Admira
Andrews either, but there Is a deep feel
ing of apprehension here over the us
by the foreign directors OF American
action In this case
Why did not the British Admiralty
send It's own sailors7 Why was tn
! naval force not international instead o.
, exclusively American II warlilte actor
with attendant risks was essential
What are the next orders from thu
british Admiralty or the Supreme Coun
ciI In Paris which American sailors mus
, carry out without the knowledge or con
: sent Of the American navy7
, These are questions Senators Will ask
' II is believed that serious complication
for the American people can be spare'
, hv timely action before the British Ad
, u,iralty directs perhaps more elaborat
. War plans to be- executed by Rear Ad
,mIral Andrews's feet.
g 1t would cause little surprise here /
! news came that Frank L. Polk, headinj
4 tbe American delegation in Paris in
r formed the European Powers that unit
) The League Is Endorsed in America ther
, Is no authority for the British Admiral
Continued on Fourth Po0e.
/. /
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