The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-16

lished from time to time giving the organization of the fleet for war, fit- ting-out bases and other information.
 g. Whenever new mobilization sheet for any force is received the old mobilization sheet for that force shall be destroyed The mobilization sheet for any force shall remain in effect UT til replaced.
 4. Upon receipt of the message In secret code to mobilize for war, every effort shall be made to assemble ships at the designated rendezvous, at the earliest possible date, ready in all respects for war service.
 5. Order of ships in divisions as we'll as details of organization not other wise provided for shall be prescribed by the commander -in-chief. or, in case of vessels assigned to naval districts, by commandants of naval districts.
 6. The following rendezvous are designated for mobilization in case of war in the Atlantic:
 Battleship Force: Chesapeake Bay
 after April 5. Until then-as at
 present
 Scout Force: Division 1-Canal Zone;
 Division 2--Home yards; Division 3,
 San Francisco Division 4-Canal
 Zone.
 Patrol Force: As ordered. Destroyer Force; With Battleship
 fleet.
 Mine Force; With Battleship Fleet. Train: As ordered by train comman-
 der
 Submarine Force: New London, Conn. Atlantic Coast Division: Philadelphia,
 Pa.
 Pacific Coast Auxiliaries: As direct
 ed by Commander-inC Chief.
 Philippine Divisions; AS directed by
 Commander-in-Chi Naval District Forces: Each force in
 own district units at ports as di-
 rected by District Commandant.
 FOR SWIFT MOVEMENT
 '. Plans shall be developed by all of ficers concerned to provide for the ut- most expedition and efficiency of mobli- ization.
 8 The assignment of a vessel to navy yard for fitting out shall not be construed as an order for that vessel to proceed to the yard designated to strip and fit out, but as an order to cal On no other than that yard for aid in fitting out for war service ex- cept ty permission of navy depart mert The principal mission of each vessel shall be to arrive at it's desig- mated rendezvous or at its war station ready for war service in the shortest possible time. The secondary mission of each vessel, in case vessels are ordered to strip ship, shall be to store it's surplus supplies, equipment and material resulting from stripping ship at the navy yard assigned on the mobilization sheet. The method of accomplishing these missions is left to the joint discretion of the com- mandantssor flag officers or command Ing officers concerned. Vessels shall not strip unless ordered to do so when mobilization Is ordered. 2, When the requirements of ves- seis as to personnel material facii- ities' or repairs, in fitting out for war service. conflict, they shall Dc gwen precedence in the alphabetical order of their assigned precedence | letters.
 MUST REPORT PROMPTLY
 lo. Upon receipt of message "Alnav availability" reports shall he made immediately to the department hv q, . officer designated on the mobiliza ton sheet of the estimated eariiest date when each vessel could be ready in all respects. so far as material is concerned. for war purposes These reports shall, for each vessel. consist of name of vessel and date The mes sage "Alnav availability" calls for d report. but should never be construed as an order to take any steps what ever towards mobilization. l II. Comments and suggestions use- fur in perfecting tNe mobilization plan outlined ih the mobilization sheets and in this letter are requested. | F. Acknowledge this letter by radio or wire.
 Az . matter of fact the drafting and issuance of this mobilization pro- sramme had been anticipated in the navy department by almost a year It was immediately after the sinking Of the Sussex-on April 27, 1sls. to be spe- cific-that mobilization plan was first sent tn<the fleets, This was "Refsrence ea)" the destruction of which Is or dered sboye. The thrilling days of the Susssx crisis-which carHed us to the very brink of war and were more thrilling for us in Washington than the general public knew-make story in themselves which I intend to tell. l fAnother article by former Secretary Daniels will be printed in The Age | IT .