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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 <September 13, 1918> Y-11   File No. 16-17-7

Origin Opnav Washington (Secnav)             Ser. No. 1391

Ref’d to Date

6                             Actions, Notes and initials.

CS-2      Sept 13. <1918>

A*C                 J.H.B. Replied to

B.

CONFIDENTIAL

Simdasus.

1391. On Saturday night representatives of the Associated Press called me up and said with reference to statement sent from London, England, that Germans were preparing to concentrate submarines on transports. Telegram made this addition, QUOTE editor this sent request Navy Department which desires to make public UNQUOTE.

     Navy Department has not wished to make public and Department has not had any news from any Naval authorities across the water authorizing this publication. I told the associated press that there was some error about it and not to carry it and they were courteously complied. Please investigate this matter and let me know who authorized such request if any if anybody did and who gave this paragraph to associated press. 18112. 1391.1

                              Benson.

                         11:30 a.m. Sept. 13, 1918.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG45, Entry 517B. Handwritten date is confirmed by typed time/date notation at end of cable. Document identifier: “1/3/C/H/J” appears in upper right hand corner in columnar fashion.

Footnote 1: For more context, see: Sims Press Release, 7 September 1918.

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