El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-03-30
.TORPEDOEDU.S.
TRANSPORTNOT
WELL GUARDED
Escort of Antilles" Weakened
As Yacht Quits Convoy
Night Before.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. March 80
w The escort Of the convoy which
included the transport Antilles
had been weakened the night before
that vessel was sunk by the return TO
z Brest Of one OF the escortilE yachts
I on account Of a heavy sea. rear ad-
miral William 3. Fletcher testified
today before the naval board investi-
eating his removal from the Brest
command by rear admiral Sims after
the Antilles was tOrepdOed in Oc-
tober. 1917
@The escOrtinE yacht EanaWhn
left the convoy on the night Of
October 16 because Of the rou-h
weather." admiral Fletcher teStf-
fled. ~leaving the Antilles and
two other transports with only
two yachts as an escort The
Antilles was sunk about dawn the
next morning.
Admiral Fletcher previously had
testified that operators OF his escort
forces. composed entirely OF con-
Terted yachts up TO that time, had
I been seriously handicapped on several
occasions by rough weather, which
destrOyers, he said, could have faced
without trouble.
The Atlantic fleet never was better
/ prepared for war than when il came
from Cuban waters in March. 1917.
after its winter battle practice, rear
admiral Henry T. Mayo, former com
handkerchief Of the fleet. today told
the navy's conduct Of the war
Men Then Well Trained.
The personnel was on a peace
basis and was somewhat Inadequate
the admiral said, but officers and men
were confident and well trained and
target practice in southern waters
had shown gratifying results.
No written plan or policy for the
participation Of the fleet in the war
was given him when the United States
Joined the allies, rear admiral Mayo
testified. but in conversations with
admiral Benson, chief of naval opera
lions, and other department officials
he was informed that the missions
OF his command were to prepare for
instant service; TO protect the coasts
Of the United States and 10 train
naval personnel
American submarines and many
second line battleships were not il
condition for war service in april,
1917, rear admiral A ". Grant. then
commanding the submarine force
told the committee
Fleets Efficiency Lowered.
Disposal Of the ships Of the At
iantic fleet along the coast Of Cen
trsl America in 1913 and 1914 70 pro
tect American interests there had
very detrimental effect" on its ef-
ficiency. admiral Mayo said The out
break OF war in Europe called atten-
ton to the 'unsatisfactory condi-
ton" OF his command, he said and
he Immediately began 10 whip his
forces into shape. The result was
reflected, he added. in the splendid
condition Of the fleet in the spring
on February 8. 1917. admiral Mayo
received instructions TO take every
precaution for the safeguarding OF
the fleet in view OF the strained re-
lations with Germany A few hours
later orders for the defence OF the
fleet. were placed in effect, he said.
Upon the return OF the fleet 20
northern waters, a patrol force OF 3
cruisers and smaller vessels was or
ranized and he was informed that
This force would be directed by tie
nt-
This was the start OF what The .
commanderinchief believed TO be f.
false policy said admiral Mayo, I
namely, control Of active operations F.
Of subordinate forces by the depart F.
ment
IN view Of my presence in the I
area OF operations to be covered by /
the patrol force, the mission In ms f.
opinion. should have been assigned /
70 me"