Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Major General John J. Pershing, Commander, American Expeditionary Forces, to Major General Tasker H. Bliss, Army Chief of Staff, and Secretary of War Newton D. Baker

 

Confidential.

  CABLEGRAM.

April 23, 1918.    

Adjutant General1

  Washington, D. C.

          Number 960 period  Confidential for the Chief of Staff and Secretary of War period  Have discussed with naval authorities the question of using medium speed transports for shipment of troops to France period  Admiral Sims2 believes that use of these ships would not involve any greater danger than use of larger transports period  Concur in this view and recommend that matter be given further consideration by War Department in order to expedite shipment of personnel period

PERSHING.          

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Identification number “II-4-22” appears in the upper-right corner, with “I/3/C/J” below it in columnar fashion. “Copy for ADMIRAL SIMS” appears flush left below the signature. “Copy.” appears near the bottom of the page on the right.

Footnote 1: Maj. Gen. Henry P. McCain.

Footnote 2: VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters. For Sims’ views on medium speed transports, see: Sims to Pershing, 13 April 1918.

Related Content