File No. 763.72/4122
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 28, 1.05 p.m.]
6114. For the Secretary of the Navy from Admiral Sims:
2. Although unaware situation as regards our forces available and their material condition, nevertheless, owing gravity submarine situation, I cannot avoid urging importance time element and fact that pressing need of moment is numbers of vessels in critical area. We cannot send too many or too soon. If last week’s rate of loss is continued any other means of cooperation in future including increased shipping may be too late. Severity of enemy submarine campaign indicates critical time now and within next two months. All military information points to immediate mission of breaking enemy submarine morale. As. British are concentrating more forces in critical area, I cannot exaggerate importance of our forces being followed immediately by adequate repair and supply facilities, particularly for all special repairs and needs peculiar to our ships’ facilities at Queenstown and neighboring bases, greatly overstrained by volume of work and lack of labor.