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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations to Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED 21 Nov. 1917.

Origin    Opnav     Washington     Serial No. 1241

Via       NCB 21 D                 Date No. 15021

Copies to                          File No. 55-4-2

Action referred to:

     CNO            537 sent Paris

VERY SECRET

Simsadus1

1241.     For Benson. Department has requested State Department to obtain following permission from Portuguese Government:- To dispatch Admiral Dunn2 and staff to Ponta del gada to command temporary Naval base that place. To send 1 aviation company 90 men with machines and 50 marines for sentries and guard duty at that station. Minister Lisbon, Portugal reports Portug[u]ese Prime Minsiter and Minister for Foreign Affairs3 have left for Paris to participate in Allied Conference. It is suggested these matters be taken up fully with Portuguese officials at Conference. 15021

Benson             

7.35 am       

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Document is an “Information Copy.” Document is dated by a latter editor to 21 November 1917. Transcriptionists initials, “JWB,” in the upper right corner.

Footnote 1: VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters.

Footnote 2: RAdm. Herbert O. Dunn.

Footnote 3: United States Ambassador to Portugal Thomas H. Birch. Portuguese Prime Minister José Maria Mendes Ribeiro Norton de Matos and Minister for Foreign Affairs António Egas Moniz.