File No. 763.72/6268

The Secretary of the Navy ( Daniels) to the Secretary of State

Sir: Referring to the cablegram from Ambassador Page in London, dated June 23, 1917.1 After careful consideration of the present naval situation, taken in connection with possible future situations which might arise, the Navy Department is prepared to announce as its policy in so far as it relates to the Allies—

(1)
The heartiest cooperation with the Allies to meet the present submarine situation, in European or other waters, compatible with an adequate defense of our own home waters.
(2)
The heartiest cooperation with the Allies to meet any future situation arising during the present war.
(3)
A realization that while a successful termination of the present war must always be the first Allied aim and will probably result in diminished tension throughout the world, the future position of the United States must in no way be jeopardized by any disintegration of our main fighting fleets.
(4)
The conception that the present main military role of the United States naval force lies in its safeguarding the lines of communication of the Allies. In pursuing this aim there will, generally speaking, be two classes of vessels engaged—minor craft and major craft—and two roles of action: first, offensive; second, defensive.
(5)
In pursuing the role set forth in paragraph (4), the Navy Department cannot too strongly insist that in its opinion, the offensive must always be the dominant note in any general plans of strategy prepared. But, as the primary role in all offensive operations must perforce belong to Allied powers, the Navy Department announces as its policy that, in general, it is willing to accept any joint plan of action of the Allies, deemed necessary to meet immediate needs.
(6)
Pursuant to the above general policy, the Navy Department announces as its general plan of action the following:
(a)
Its willingness to send its minor fighting forces, comprised of destroyers, cruisers, submarine chasers, auxiliaries, in any numbers not incompatible with home needs, and to any field of action deemed expedient by the joint Allied Admiralties, which would not involve a violation of our present State policy.
(b)
Its unwillingness, as a matter of policy, to separate any division from the main fleet for service abroad, although it is willing to send the entire battleship fleet abroad to act as a united but cooperating unit when, after joint consultations of all Admiralties concerned, the emergency is deemed to warrant it, and the entire tension imposed upon the line of communications due to the increase in the number of fighting ships in European waters will stand the strain imposed upon it.
(c)
Its willingness to discuss more fully plans for joint operations.

Sincerely yours,

Josephus Daniels
  1. Ante, p. 108.