Josephus Daniels to Woodrow Wilson

Op-22-BCONFIDENTIAL.

My dear Mr. President
I beg to quote below certain messages which have been received from the Naval Attache in Great Britian and from Rear Admiral Sims, who, as you know, is on special duty in Great Britian;“111-3 mx 149 Gov. via CommercialLondonNavintel Washington22023 April nineteen at five twenty-two a.M. saw submarine periscope close aboard port bow. Submarine passed too close port beam to attack without wrecking self; submarine dove to attack on starboard quarter of ship. Ship turned to port saw telescope periscope cross Mongolia wake in curve heading for attack. Five twenty-four fired one shot from stern six-inch gun, wrecking periscope. At hit of shell cloud of grey smoke covered slick. At five twenty-five large quantity of oil covered area hit by shell. No opportunity given submarine to steady for firing torpedo. If fired before saw submarine torpedo not seen. Position latitude 50-30 North, longitude zero degrees thirty-two minutes West 19024 MacDougal.”
–––Confidential Message from U. S. Embassy,London, England.“12 Noon 24 April 1917. Message from Sims in strictest confidence to President and Secretary of the Navy.
The British Admiralty is able to keep fairly accurate information concerning the arrival and departure of German submarines to and from their bases also their approximate location while operating.
For some days two of the thirty four mine-laying U-boats were not located and the Admiralty were about to advise you that they were probably on their way to the United States.
They were however located and the Admiralty is of the opinion that none will probably be sent for the present.
The Germans will make every effort to continue their present successful submarine activities at the entrance of the Channel. All destroyers that can be spared from the Fleet are now being employed and experience has shown that 50 % can be maintained on patrol. The area covered by them is made practically untenable by submarines, but to be effective this area is too restrictive. Yesterday it was concluded by the Admiralty at War Council that the co-operation of twenty odd destroyers having Queenstown as their base to operate would (be necessary) to suppress present dangerous activities of submarines and to keep them suppressed. The crisis will be passed if the enemy can be forced to disperse his forces from this critical area.Admiral Sims expresses the opinion that this affords an opportunity for brilliant distinction for our Navy. The six destroyers now on the way will be supplied with depth charges and all necessary supplies and our Senior Officer will have assigned to his staff an experienced destroyer control officer.Admiral Sims urgently recommends the maximum possible number of destroyers be sent immediately.”
–––“From: Admiral Sims. To : Secretary of the Navy.
While I am unaware of the situation existing in regard to the forces we have available and their material condition, because of the gravity of the submarine situation I must urge the importance of the time element and the fact that the immediate need is the presence of numerous vessels in the critical area. Too many cannot be sent, nor can such action be taken too soon.
If the rate of loss last week should be continued any other means of co-operation in the future such as increased shipping may be too late. The severity of the enemy's submarine campaign indicates the critical period now and during the coming two months. All military information indicates the immediate purpose of breaking the morale of the submarine campaign.
As the British are concentrating more forces in the critical area, I must emphasize the extreme importance of following our forces immediately by supply and repair facilities of an adequate nature, particularly for all the special repairs and needs which are peculiar to our ships. The volume of work has greatly overstrained the facilities at Queenstown and neighboring bases, which are moreover hampered by lack of labor.”–––“From: Rear Admiral Sims. To : Secretary of the Navy.
I urge the necessity of tugs to salvage ships that have been torpedoed and also the purpose of towing sailing vessels.
I urge the immediate sending of four big Navy tugs followed by all that we can get.
Each tug should be armed, equipped with radio, portable pumps, and towing gear.
Damaged vessels often float many hours, and the salvage of one or two such ships will make the above steps worth while.”In addition to the above, the following from the Naval Attache, France, is quoted:“Secretary of the Navy. Paris, April 29.After consultation with the French general staff and on account of seriousness of losses from submarines went to London, England, for conference with Sims on April 25th. My opinion military necessity of situation demands immediate adoption of all recommendations of policy furnished to the Department from European powers. Expressed these views to Sims. He has agreed and conformed to my opinion of necessity of immediate concerted action to combat growing submarine menacem, but said he was not accredited to the French Ministry. My further representation convinced him that military necessity demanded that I cannot take responsibility without reference to the Department. Am in constant touch with Sims by telephone and telegraph. All questions of general policy and demand for assistance by France will be forwarded by me to Sims. The French Naval Attache at London, England, attended conference and agreed to proposition in substance. I shall take up question with the French general staff today. I shall attempt through Ambassador to persuade the French Government that all questions affecting naval matters be taken up by the Minister of Marine, referred to me, then transmitted through Sims to the Department . In this connection, also, I should inform the Department I have not the latest secret code. 16028 Sayles.”