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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

Chronological Copy.

Date 15 Nov. 1918  Y 55                          File No.

Sent 1:00 AM 11/15/18    Received Cablegram  Serial No. 5097

Recd. 5:35 AM 11/15/18                      Cipher B

<November 14, 1918.>

From Opnav Washington         To Simsadus

SWO       15 Nov         R/T to Paris as 140

CS

5097 FOR BENSON To prevent introduction of disease into United States and similar outbreaks on Naval vessels assigned to transport troops with certainty of public criticism and Congressional investigation upon unfavorable sanitary conditions being reported and widely disseminated by arriving personnel Bureau of Medicine and Surgery strongly recommend that Army authorities be advised to establish evacuation camps with complete disinfecting and laboratory facilities provided at least two weeks observation detention of troops destined for United States. Bureau of M. and S. also recommends overcrowding ships be prevented particularly during winter season or when making Northern passage and troops being not transported on vessels without medical officers or adequate sick bay equipment 12314 5097

<Opnav>

RETRANSMIT

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date notation at the end of the cable.

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