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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Lieutenant Commander Charles R. Train, United States Naval Attaché at Rome, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED  08122 May <21, 1918.>  EWC

Alusna Rome                                          131

CS 2  22 May

32ARD

Simsadus.

131. My 128.1 American Ambassador also visited Minister Foreign affairs2 yesterday who also upheld Revel3 regarding steamer for Northern Barrage. Cruiser offered would carry 100 mines each whereas steamers desired when altered would carry 300 or more. 16021.

Train.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Identification numbers “28-2-1” appear in the upper-right corner.

Footnote 1: This document has not been found.

Footnote 2: Thomas Nelson Page was the United States Ambassador to Italy. Sidney Sonnino was the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Footnote 3: Italian Chief of Naval Staff and fleet commander, VAdm. Paolo Thaon di Revel. The United States and Britain both blamed Revel for withholding vital Italian naval resources and tried to have him removed. They also pushed a proposal–without success-to have former First Sea Lord Adm. Sir John R. Jellicoe appointed as “Generalissimo” in the Mediterranean. See: Train to Sims, 9 May, 10 May, and 11 May; and Sims to Benson 30 April 1918.

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