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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Secretary of State Josephus Daniels.

CABLE DISPATCH

SENT:          July 5, 1917.       TO:  Secretary of the Navy.

                                             Washington.

THROUGH:  State Department.

     Number seventyeight.     It is physically impossible to insure efficiency my duty and safeguard Departments and country’s interests without immediate increase of staff (stop)     My responsibilities demand immediate dispatch by first steamer sailing of Chief of Staff and minimum of two additional assistants with war college experience (stop)     Request Captain Twining Commander McNamee and Lieutenant Coffee.1

Sims          

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Below the text is the copy list, “Copies: Original./Confirmation/Chronological/Subject”

Footnote 1: Capt. Nathan C. Twining, Cmdr. Luke McNamee, and Lt. Reuben Coffey. All three of these officers were assigned to Sims' staff.