Evening star., 1921-04-27
BY JOSEPHUS DANIELS.
Former Secretary of the Navy.
ARTICLE IA.

Former Secretary of the Navy.
ARTICLE H.
One day in the second week Of April,
1917, a passenger liner. having 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 grZZled beard. whose civilian
garb could not wholly conceal a GER
tain distinction.
The ships passenger list showed the
name, among others, of Mr.. S. w.
Davidson" BY this name the gentle
man 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 en-
gagged in some matter of urgent pri
vate business which induced him to
run risks at a time when nobody was
sea voyaging who lacked the compel
ling motive of duty or necessity.
Sims Alias Davidson.
Mr.. Davidson went through the rou-
tine procedure, and finally emerged
from the grip of officialdom, to take
train for London.
Within twenty-four hours after his
arrival he was closeted in the British
capital with the highest authorities
in the British admiralty
Then his disguise was cast aside
and he appeared in his proper person
as Rear Admiral Sims of the United
States Navy.
When Admiral Sims reached London
oil ~,
The news of action on the part of
congress reached him while he was
still at sea. He had left under orders
In anticipation of the impending de-
came to send him is one of the most
interesting chapters in the earlier
STAGES of our participation.
When the diplomatic break had
been made with Germany it was evil
dent that no long period could inter-
vene before We would find it neces-
sary to assume the role of a belliger-
ent. The President was anxious
that. in such event. the Navy should
be ready to do it's part without a
moments delay. In every detail of
preparation within the power of the
Secretary Of the Navy and the officers
Of the Navy it had been ready for
weeks. But it was essential that
there should be complete understand
ing with the allied powers, and par
ticularly with the naval authorities
OF Great Britain. before its prepared
ness could be utilized effectively.
Thus we planned to establish an
early liaison with the British admi-
rally. SO that our Navy Department
might be kept thoroughly informed
as to Developments and contemplated
undertakings. The British. and
French, naturally, had been most Sc
cretive. While our neutrality con-
tinued they would not have been JUS
titled in revealing any of their Sc
crets. Our naval attache in London
had sent US much information-all,
in fact, that the British would per-
init any neutral nation to obtain
but until it was evident that we were
about to enter the war the things of
vital moment were guarded jealously.
In Touch With Britain.
And so the President decided that 1t
was the part of wisdom to discover
dfscreetly the thought and plan of the
cooperation might be of a kind to
deal the enemy the hardest possible
blow.
In March I got into communication
with the British admiralty through
Ambassador Walter H. Page. and
March %. 1917. he sent a message
saying:
''Mr Balfour (then first lord Of the
'admiralty) has shown me the informal
suggestion conveyed by the Navy De-
partment regarding closer relations,
and his reply"
sured him the British government
would fall in heartily with any plan
which the United States should pro-
pose as soon as relations could be
established. Mr.. Page further said he
had discussed the matter with Mr.
Admiral Jellicoe and others and that
all had assured him of their cordia