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Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral Leigh C. Palmer, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, to Staff of Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

Chronological Copy.                          File No. <30-1-2>

Cablegram Received <August 31, 1918.>  GFB1

Origin Opnav Washington                      Ser. No. 788

S-1  Sept 1

Clear2

Simasdus

     788. Difficulty of obtaining transportation to destinations in United Kingdom for drafts of enlisted men rapidly becoming more serious. Bureau can now depend only upon occasional vessels in naval overseas transportation service, and these vessels are frequently rerouted to destinations in France subsequent to sailing. Bureau makes every effort to send men for destination in United Kingdom via vessels sailing for United Kingdom ports but when this cannot be done men are sent to vessels arriving in French ports. It is therefore imperative that greatest care be exercised by all officers handling drafts upon arrival overseas pay particular attention to orders of various units of drafts. These orders are made most specific and no difficult<y> should be encountered if orders are strictly carried out.  12331 788

Admiral Palmer          

11 AM sept 1, 1918      

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date notation immediately following the text.

Footnote 1: The initials of the transcriber who has not been further identified.

Footnote 2: This meant that this message was not coded before it was sent.

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