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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 the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

DISPATCH TO BE SENT.

Date March 14, 1918.

To   Opnav.

Prepared by R-2     Approved  <NCT>1   Code      No. <5163>

HIGHLY SECRET

     The Allied Maritime Transport Council has just completed a three day session. Their preliminary estimate of the import situation of France, Italy and Great Britain for nineteen eighteen indicates a probable shortage of ten million tons of imports below minimum programs. Though pressure of necessity may result in some reduction in present minimum programs, Council are unanimous in opinion that a reduction of ten million tons cannot be made without results which would be disastrous to prosecution of the war.

     Council have brought this situation to attention of Supreme War Council pointing out necessity of a revision of military program, especially as regards movement of American Army, in order to release tonnage for use in import service to the Allied countries.

     Full text of Council’s recommendation is being cabled to State Department by Stevens.2 I recommend you obtain copy.

SIMS.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The “HIGHLY SECRET” is a stamp.

Footnote 1: Sims’ chief of staff, Capt. Nathan C. Twining.

Footnote 2: Raymond B. Stevens was Vice-Chairman of the United Shipping Board and the American representative to the Allied Maritime Transport Council. For a full copy of the report and the workings of the Council, see: “Allied Maritime Transport Council,” Internet Archive, Accessed on 27 February 2018, https://openlibrary.org/books/OL24180649M/Allied_Maritime_Transport_Council_1918.

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