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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

President Woodrow Wilson to Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels

THE WHITE HOUSE

     WASHINGTON

     Confidential.       2 July, 1917

My dear Mr. Secretary:

          Here is a suggestion communicated to me by Tumulty from Mr. Arthur Pollen, which I think is worth acting upon.1 As you and I agreed the other day, the British Admiralty had done absolutely nothing constructive in the use of their navy and I think it is time we were making and insisting upon plans of our own, even if we render some of the more conservative of our own naval advisers uncomfortable. What do you think?

     Cordially and faithfully yours,

Woodrow Wilson

Source Note: TLS, DLC-MSS, Josephus Daniels Papers, Spec. Corresp., Roll 65. Addressed below close: “enc./Hon. Josephus Daniels,/Secretary of the Navy.”

Footnote 1: Joseph Patrick Tumulty was Wilson's private secretary. Arthur Pollen submitted inventions for fire control and range finding and also gave Wilson a series of tactical suggestions, including using torpedo boats to sink submarines. See, Josephus Daniels diary Entry of 15 July 1917, DLC-MSS, Josephus Daniels Papers, Roll 1.

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