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Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, Vice Admiral Henry B. Wilson, Commander, United States Naval Forces Based in France

Communications Copy.

Cablegram Sent  November 10, 1918, Y24

To     Comfran, Brest                         Serial No. 9306

Prep. by  CS        Ap’vd by  NCT1           D.R.

Cable

Rec’d         Coded             Cypher 42 ARD     Disp’chd

Mess

CONFIDENTIAL

9306 Rear Admiral S.S.Robison is hereby designated as the United States Naval Representative on a commission for executing the Naval conditions of the armistice with Germany.2 Direct Robison to proceed to Paris immediately and confer with Admiral Benson, from whom he can learn the exact conditions which are to be carried out. Direct Robison also to get in touch with British and otherAllied Naval Representatives and act in conjunction with them. Robison will probably require the services of a number of vessels for which purpose it is desired that you make available for him one or more of the best yachts in your force and such number of destroyers as may be needed. Any officers needed by Admiral Robison for the execution of his task are to be furnished from your force on his request if available. In case officers not available in your force are needed inform Force Commander who will endeavour to supply them from other parts of the European Forces. This duty of Admiral Robison’s will be regarded as additional to his present duty until further orders. Report when Robsion leaves Brest for Paris. Repeat this message to Admiral Benson, Paris, for information. 124010 9306

Sims          

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The message is typed on a printed form and much of the heading material is repeated on the second page of this two-page copy.

Footnote 1: “CS” was chief of staff, which for Sim was Capt. Nathan C. Twining (NCT).

Footnote 2: The full text of the armistice with Austria-Hungary is available through the Library of Congress. See: http://www.loc.gov/law/help/us-treaties/bevans/m-ust000002-0009.pdf, accessed 10 January 2019. The “NAVAL CONDITTIONS,” which RAdm. Samuel S. Robison helped negotiate, appear on pp. 13-15. On the negotiations among the Allies that created the terms presented to the Germans, see Trask, Captains and Cabinets, 343-57.

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