Evening star., 1928-04-01
NAVY'S PART IN DRIVE TO END
WAR IS ACCLAIMED IN HISTORY
Capt. D.. w. Knox Views
Operations in Depart,
ment Pamphlet.
Pays Tribute to Personnel
of Small Vessels That
Routed U-Boats.

Looking backward 10 years into that
dark period OF the World war when
American presence and pressure were
being felt on and of the shores of Eu-
rope. the Navy Department in his
tory just complied and made public
today undertakes 10 snow that this
branch Of the American armed forces
welded one of the greatest powers
which brought to an end in the latter
part of 1913 the devastation wrought
under the name of war II leaves no
doubt that Germany. after diScounting
American participation. began to
''welch" when the Navy commenced
putting troops safely by the submarines.
and then later began destroying SUBJ
marines by means of war.buih surface
craft: had her desire for peace in
creased when the Marines. part OF the
Navy. gave the Germans the hardest
crack on the head of their war career
at Belleau Wood. and then reached a
determination TO seek an armistice
when the big naval guns began to tear
its supply line loose behind their al
ready decreasing front
The history is contained in q mimeo-
graphed pamphlet of eight chapters.
consisting of 81 pages. entitled "Ameri-
can Naval Participation In the Great
War. With Special Reference TO the Eu
Eopean Theater of Operations. II was
complied and written by Capt Dudley
w. Knox, u. S. N, in charge of the
historical section of the Navy Depart
ment after years Of research through
ofticial naval records, ships logs, re-
ports and other available data.
Personnel Praised.
High tribute Is paid to the personnel
which operated the intricate machinery
OF the Navy, personnel drawn almost
overnight from civil life and trained TO
do something and do IT well. The man
ming OF the small boats, the war-built
subchasers by the Reserves, received
particularly high commendation. as did
those In the aviation Reserve, of whom
Capt Knox says, almost without ex-
ception on first enrolling these men
begged for billets at the stations where
the service was most arduous and dan
gerous"
Capt. Knox first gives a brief insight
into the submarine menace as 1t existed
at the time Of the entrance OF the
United States into the war, and the
plans OF the Germans not only 10 cut
on lines Of supplies to her enemies. but
70 prevent American participation. He
then outlines the plans for American
participation. followed by chapter on
each branch and what was done
He quotes Admiral Sims summary OF
the situation. given shortly after ne ar
rived In Europe, in which that officer
pointed out that the submarine issue
was very much more serious than
America reaAZed. He said that the
then recent success of the submarines
and the rapidity OF their construction
by Germany constituted the real crisis
Of the war, pointing out that at the
tins there was only food enough for the
civil population 10 last six weeks or two
months.
On account OF the immense theater
Of war and the length and number of
lines OF communication and the ma
teriai deterioration resulting from three
years Of continuous operation with in
adequate base facilities, the strength Of
the allied naval forces lis dangerously
strained" reported the admiral.
Cooperation Vital.
This applies TO all OF the allied sea
forces outside the grand feet. To ac-
ceierate allied efforts and assure defeat
Of the submarine campaign, the inme-
date active corporation Of the United
States Is absolutely necessary The
issue is and must inevitably be decided
AZ the focus Of all lines of eommuni-
cations IN the eastern Atlantic. of the
approaches 10 the English Channel II
| Is therefore urgently necessary that the
maximum number Of destToyers and
other anti-Eubmarine craft be- sent
abroad Immediately. Al present Ameri-
cad battieSnips can serve no useful pur~
| D0se except for moral effect against an
| iicipated raids by heavy enemy ships
/ out of reach Of the British main fleet
! The chief other and urgent practical
cooperation is the construction Of
| merchant tonnage and a continuous
/ augmentation Of snti-gubmarinA craft.
/ ~ which tbefe IL nov serious short
age"
This report brought forth the follow
/ ing general program.
! Employment III destroyefE converted
/ yachts, cruisers and other suitable craft
| 70 serve a. patrols and escort vessels for
| COnyoyg
/ Organization and administration of
! transport ssTgife 10 put the American
Army across and Of overseas supply
service 10 supply the Army and others
| Reinforcing the grand feet with u
few American bsttleships and utilizing
/ the remainder ~ our battleEhips u train
| personnel for naval duties
| Development ~ offensive means oi
| nghting the submarine. TWO piinci.
! pa measures were adopted First, q
| great mine baTfsge across the North
| sea from Scotland ~ Norwegian ter
| ritoriai waters. snd second. the de-
| yeI9pment ~ SOUND detection devices
| for installation on destfoyers, sub
marines and submarine ehaseTs. 50 81