Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-03-30
MAYO TELLS0F
!. CONDl|I'ION.OF.:
ATLANTIC FLEET ! ] ]
Testified Today Before Sen.
ate Committee Investigat-
ing Navy's Conduct.

Washington, March 30.-The At
lantic feet never was better prepared
for. war than when it came from
Cuban waters late in March, 1917,
after it's winter battle practice, Rear
Admiral Henry T. Mayo, former, COM
mander-in-chief of the fleet, today
told the senate committee investigat-
ing the navy's conduct Of the war.
The personnel was .on q 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 feet in the war
Joined the Allies, Rear admiral Mayo
testified. but in conversations with
Admiral Bessson, chief Of naval, oper-
,At{ons, and other depart4gento1llct q
He eSkas informed that the missions OF
hia snonlnapds,W Were to- Spreparesfor, IA 4 I
'stent sAtv4eAs to prnte teft the oeasts of
the United States and TO train naval
Bad Conditions. y Z
Disposal Of the ships OF the Atlantic
fleet along the coast Of Central Amer
lea in 1913 and 1914 to protect Ameri-
can interests there had,1a very detri-
mental effect" on Its efficiency. Ad-
mffal Mayo said. The outbreak of war
in Europe called attention to 1.-The
.mand, he said. and resulted In i'm
mediate plans to assemble his forces
and whip them into shape u The re-
suit was reflection, he added, in the
splendid condition Of the deet in the
xprfng Of 1917. .. s.sss :. s1
On February 3, 1917, Admiral Mayo
received instructions to take every
precaution for the safeguarding Of the
feet in view of the strained relations
with Germany. A few hours later
orders for the defense of the fleet, in
conformity with pre-arranged plan,
were placed in effect, he said.
Patrol Force Organized.
Upon the return of the feet to
northern waters. a patrol force OF
cruisers and smaller vessels was or
ganized and he was informed that this
force would be directed by the de-
partment. .s.$ .'s
"This was the.start of what the
chief believed to, be a
false policy" said Admiral Mayo,
namely control of active operations of
subordinate forces by the department.
I'm view Of my presence in the area
Of operations to be covered by the
should have been assigned to- me-.
NO. -,.- Lacked Ships.
The fleet at. the outbreak OF the war
was lacking in types of vessels essen
tial to efficiency, particularly to battle
cruisers, scout cruisers, light tcruisers
and seagoing submarines, the witness
said, adding that furthermore there
are none Of these types even now
available"
The committee was told that at q
conference between, British. French
and American naval officials April 10,
1917, In Washington, Admiral Benson
declared the policy Of the United
States would be to keep the American
fleet intact and to assist In the patrol
Of the Atlantic and gulf coasts and
adjacent waters. 4. Al
Secretary Daniels was present at q
similar conference the next day, the
witness said, at whichsit was decided
to send a division. of 7destroyers to
European waters. Vice Admiral
Browning represented the British ad-
miralty at these conferences and
agreed to the decisions reached, the
admiral testified. ~: