Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-04-27
Bv JOSEPHUS DANIELS,
Former Secretary of the Navy.

Former Secretary of the Navy.
CopyriSht. 1921. by John f. Ollie.
CorvrtUht nv National Newspaper
service. Copyright In Great Britain,
Canada and throughout France. All
rights reserved, including transia-
ton into foreign languages, including
the scandinavian. Unauthorized re-
printing for any purpose forbidden
ARTICLE IA.
One day in the second week OF
April. 1917, a passenger liner, hav-
Ing safely negotiated the U-boat
perils on a voyage from New York,
put into an English port.
Among those who walked the gang
plank, and landed on the dock to run
the gantlet of officials and secret
service men, was a fairly tall, slim,
trim figure with a wind-tanned face
and grizzled beard, whose civilian
garb could not wholly conceal a GER
tain distinction.
And so the President decided that 1t
was the part of wisdom to discover dis
creetly the thought and plan of the Brit
fsh admiralty. in order that our coopera-
tion might be of a kind 10 deal the
enemy the hardest possible blow.
IN TOUCH
WITH BRITAIN.
In March I got into communication
with the British admiralty through Am
bassador Walter H. Page. and on March
% 1917. he sent a message saying:
'sMr. BaIfour (then first lord of the
admiralty has shown me the informal
suggestion conveyed by the Navy Depart
ment regarding closer relations and his
reply"
Mr.. Page said Mr. Balfour had assured
him the British government would fall in
heartily with any plan which the United
States should propose as soon as rela-
tions could be established. Mr.. Page fur
Their said he had discussed the matter
with Mr.. Bonar Law. the prime minister.
Admiral Jellicoe and others and that all
had assured him of their cordial assent
to any proposals the United States would
be likely to make.
READY TO
TELL SECRETS.
Mr.. Page recommended that we send a
United States admiral to London to
to whom the British admiralty would
communicate all the inside information as
to British plans and methods of opera
tion. All the doors would be opened to
him. he said, and a sort of special staff
assigned to give him the results of the
whole naval work since the war began.
Many things. he thought. which could not
be committed safely 10 writing could be
disclosed in this way.
The President dfroptad that uor6
should be conveyed at once to Ambassa-
dor Page of the purpose of the United
states TO avail itself OF this proposal
The ships passenger list showed the
name, among others, Of Mr.. S W. David
SON." By this name the gentleman had
been known to his travelling companions
1t may be questioned If any of them had
suspected that he was other than an
American citizen. engaged in some matter
of urgent private business, which in
duced him to run risks at a time when
nobody was sea voyaging who lacked the
compelling motive Of duty or necessity.
SIMS KNOWN
AS DAVIDSON"
DR.. Davidson went through the routine
procedure, and finally emerged from the
grip Of ohicialdom, to take train for
London
Within twenty-four hours after his ar
rival he was cIoseted In the British cap
ital with the highest authorities in the
British admiralty.
Then his disguise was cast aside, and
he appeared in his proper person as Rear
ADMIRAL W. S. Sims, of the United States
Navy.
When Admiral Sims reached London
We were already in the war
The news Of action on the part Of the
congress reached him while he was still
t sea. He had left under orders in
'ntlcipatiOn of the impending decision.
nd the story Of how we came TO send
i'm is one of the most interesting chap
ers in the earlier stages of cur partici-
1ation.
WILSON ANXIOUS NAVY
should BE READY.
When the diplomatic break had been
made with Germany 1T was evident that
10 long period could intervene before we
would find It necessary to assume the
role Of a belligerent. The President was
anxious that In such event the navy
should be ready to do its part without
4 moments delay. In every detail Of
preparation within the power of the Sec
. retary Of the Navy's Department and the
JHicers of the navy, 1t had been ready
hSs Nttho nut II was essential that
FAare should be complete understanding
wFsA the allied powers. and particularly
With the naval authorities OF Great Brit
lin, before its preparedness could be
Utilized effectively
Thus we planned to establish an early
iaison with the Britis hadmiralty, so that
pur Navy Department might be kept
thoroughly informed as to Developments
md contemplated understandings The
British and French. naturally, had been
most secretive. While our neutrality
'ontinued they would not have been JUS
fled fl revealing any of their secrets.
Dur naval attache in London had sent us
much information-all, in fact, that the
3ritish would permit any neutral nation
tc obtain-but until it was evident that
We were about to enter the war the things
# vital moment were guarded jeaIously.
The original intention was to send Ad-
niral Henry B. Wilson. now commander
Continued on Page FOur.)