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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

               CABLEGRAM RECEIVED                    FG

Origin         OPNAV                  Serial No. Simben 5

Ref’d to        Date

CS              7-25 <1918>

46 ADR

SIMBEN 5.   Your 15981

     Department feels that in initiating policy decidedly contrary to the wishes and intentions of this government you have committed an error in judgement.2 In future do not initiate general policies of international character without first communicating with the Department, giving your recommendations and obtaining views of this government through the Department, before taking up with foreign official matters, affecting international policy.3

Signed Secretary of Navy  22024  S.B.

Benson.            

Source Note: Cy, DNA RG 45, Entry 520, Box 678. The time/date stamp just before the signature indicates that this cable was sent on 24 July 1918.

Footnote 1: This cable has not been found.

Footnote 2: On the policy Sims was believed to have initiated, see: Sims to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 26 July 1918.

Footnote 3: Sims defended his actions in, ibid.