The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1920-08-27
u. S. WARSHIPS
| SENT TO BALTIC
Cruiser Pittsburgh and Two De-
stroyers Ordered to Danzig as
measure of PreCaution."
POLAND PLEADS FOR AID.
Read Admiral Huse to Be In Command
of Vessels Sent to Protect American
Lives; Daniels Denies Plan to
Aid Poland.

Washington.-The armored cruiser
Pittsburgh and two destroyers were
ordered by Secretary Daniels to pro-
ceed to the Baltic Sea to protect
American lives and interests In that
region.
The warships, which will be in com.
mand of Rear Admiral Harry Mel. P.
Huse, commanding the American ma
val force In European waters, have
been ordered to sail Immediately from
Cherbourg, France, for Danzig. The
vessels will base there, but Admiral
Huse's orders give him authority to
dispatch his command to whatever
point Americans may be endangered.
"While there Is no immediate neces-
city for the movement Of these vessels
to the Baltic" Secretary Daniels said,
'it is a precautionary measure that Is
justified at this time because of the
unsettled conditions there"
Secretary Daniels would not admit
that the dispatching Of the warships
was the first move to be taken by this
government toward assisting Poland.
He asserted that the mission Of the
vessels was to afford protection to
Americans who may require 1t.
In addition to the three vessels as
signed to Baltic waters the navy de-
partment has issued orders increasing
the Mediterranean fleet by the addi-
ton of the cruiser ST. Louis and six
destroyers, which will leave Philadel-
phia as soon as adequate personnel Is
assigned.
officials of the state department
continued to withhold details Of what
the American note on the Russo
Polish situation promised to Poland
to preserve that nation against the
Bolshevik forces.
In. connection with the dispatch of
the warships it was explained that
there were some Americans at Baltic
ports which may be endangered by
reason of the advance of the Soviet
forces. Some of these Americans are
officials of the government, sent to oD-
serve the situation in that part of the
world, and others are commercial rep
resentatives endeavoring to establish
trade relations with anti-Bolshevfk
nationals.
1t was indicated at the state de-
partment that until Great Britain and
Italy responded to the American state
ment on the Polish situation the
Washington government would not
make known any steps under con-
sideration for the assistance OF the
Poles. The reply Of the French gov
ernment has been received.
State department officials were not
inclined to be disturbed by the cabled
dispatches that Germany will CO.
| operae with the Russian Bolshevik
government. Reports constantly being
sent to this government by American
Commissioner Dresel at Berlin have
not indicated any noticeable spread OF
| Sovietism in Germany
On the contrary, the American posi-
| ton with reference to making the
German indemnity as reasonable as
| possible so that the economic rehab1li-
| tation of that country, with that OF all
European countries, might be speeded
up, has had the effect of assuring the
German people that the United States
government is not disposed to exact
unbearable penalties because of the
war. This position, 1t is. understood
has been completely realized by the
committee representing Germany on
the reparations commission and has
not been lost sight of throughout the
German empire. H.. g..
Continued pressure is being brought
upon the government by the Polish
minister here to give assistance to the
Polish cause. The plea of the Amerl'
can Society for the Defense of Poland
was laid before the White House and
| state department by two hundred
| Polish-Americans, who urge every pos
sible assistance that may be extended
nv the United States government.