Evening star., 1927-12-25

night, travelled by train to Providence,
and from there came TO Provincetown
by automobiles, arriving at 1850 am.
With them was Mrs. NJ. l.. Stevens Of
Providence, mother of Joseph l..
stevens, one OF the men imprisoned in
the torpedo room OF the 81.
Mrs. stevens had waited all night in
the railroad station at Providence and
greeted the two officials as they step
ped from the train. She asked Secre-
tary Wilbur to take her to Province
town and he consented.
Plainly suffering from nervous strain
and lack OF sleep. Mrs. Stevens. while
commenting on the courtesy of Secre-
tary Wilbur and Admiral Hughes. de.
clared that the Navy cares nothing
for life." and that the Navy has no
right to send down submarines IL they
have no means Qf raising them"
Mrs Stevens did not go out tn the
salvaging fleet. She talked with Coast
Guard officers and spent most of her
time here at the local Red Cross head
quarters She motored back to Provi-
dence this afternoon.
Secretary Wilbur and Admiral
Hughes on their arrival here were
escorted TO the Coast Guard headquar-
ters. Before leaving for the Falcon
they were questioned by newspaper
men.
Will Use Every Resource.
The only comment made by Admiral
Hughes was in response TO the ques-
tion: What do you think OF the S-4
situation?" He said:
II believe the Secretary Is perfectly
satisfied"
Secretary Wilbur talked little more
freely.
I'VE plan" he said. ito use every
that can be done
Asked what he thought OF criticisms
that have been made OF the rescue and
salvage work. he replied;
The men in the salvage feet have
done all that is humanity possible
To the question as 10 why the air
hose had not been attached to the sc
tube OF the submarine last Sunday.
when six men were known to be alive
In the torpedo room. Secretary Wilbur
responded:
''An air hose was attached to the
salvage tube on the coming tower
last Sunday and II was thought the
air was going through all parts OF the
subMar rne."
When some one asked the Secretary
why the Navy did not have salvage
ship like the German Fulkan. which
is rcputed to be able to raise sub.
marine quickly, he made no answer.
Says Weather Caused Delay.
what do you think" he was asked,
''of the resolution which Congress.
man Clifford OF Massac chusetts pro.
poses to introduce in Congress con.
cerning the Withholding OF news of
the disaster by the Navy from the
American people?"
Il won't answer that" said Secre-
tary Wilbur. II am not here TO answer
criticisms or to be catechized"
What Is the explanation OF the
delay In rescue operations from Sun.
day morning to Wednesday after.
noon?"
Weather conditions"
with that the Secretary ended tho
interview. He and Admiral Hughes
were taken aboard the 75.foot Coast
Guard patrol boat No. 1856 and went
out to the Falcon.
The sea was very rough and the
patrol boat could not pull alongside
the Falcon. AZ they neared the mine
sweeper. Secretary Wilbur and Ad.
miral Hughes Jumped into surf
boat and were taken to the Falcon.
where they were pulled aboard.
Secretary's Flag Raised.
The only touch OF formaiity was the
raising of the nag OF the Secretary.
blue banner. with four stars and an
anchor In tho center. The officials
were greeted by Rear Admiral Brum.
by ana other officers and retired to
the officers ward room. where they
had luncheon. Then followed the two.
hour conference,