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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Diary of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels

1918                       WEDNESDAY 21               AUGUST

 Consultation at War Department where progress of Allies in France was shown on maps[.] The pressing need is cargo ships and Great Britain is to be asked to aid at least to the carrying of supplies intended for her army.

She expects to ask 6000£ for her big ships if lost_ You means dollars, don’t you? No pounds & to charge $150 instead of 50 for every person taken over_Also desires us to agree to furnish ships equivalent to every day’s work done on our ships and every days docking, worst of it is Sims approves[.]1

  Went to NY. to banquet tendered to San Paulo & Rividavio, Brazil and Argentine ships in our harbors_ Argentine Ambassador (Naon)2 read his speech. His country is neutral; he is pro-ally and he must be diplomatic[.] Think Minister Brum’s3 visit (he is here from Uruguay) should take steps to unite Pan Americans in the war[.]

  De Gama also spoke & Augustus Thomas4

Source Note: D, DLC-MSS, Josephus Daniels Papers, Diaries, Roll 1.

Footnote 1: VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters. For more on this, see: Daniels to Sims, 24 July 1918; and Sims to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 26 July 1918.

Footnote 2: Romulo Sebastian Naon Peralta Marinez, Ambassador to the United States from Argentina.

Footnote 3: Dr. Baltazar Brum, an emissary from Uruguay visiting the United States.

Footnote 4: Dominicio de Gama, Ambassador to the United States from Brazil. Thomas was a playwright and journalist. Daniels, Cabinet Diaries: 332.

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