Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1917 — ENTENTE CHIEFS ARRIVE IN U. S. [ARTICLE]

ENTENTE CHIEFS ARRIVE IN U. S.

British and French Leaders at Washington for Conference U. S.TO PATROL OCEAN LANES. Allies* Craft Will lie Replaced by - American —Daniels an-1 Admiral Benson at Meeting. Washington, April 13.—Vice Admiral Browning of the British ftavy and Rear Admiral de Grasse of the French navy conferred with Secretary Daniels and Admiral Benson, chief of operations, on co-operation between the allied navies for the conduct of the war. Both foreign commanders came to the United States on their flagships. The first step by the United States navy in taking up its part of the war operations will be to take oyer the Atlantic and Carribean path patrols hitherto maintained by British and French ships. No announcement of the results of the conference was made. Eventually American ships probably will relieve those of the allies in all north and south Atlantic waters on this side of the world. ; Protection wonk! be furnished under that plan for the Canadian coast and also for British oil tankers plying to porta on the Mexican and South American coasts. There are indications, however, that the United Slates does not now contemplate any hard and fast agreement as to the measures of co-operation. What is done will be determined by the needs of the situation and the ability of the navy to cary out a particular part in the program. • Will Act as Fleet Grows. As the strength of the American fleet increases in small craft, submarines, destroyers and other lighter units, the portions allotted ’to that fleet In the joint task of making certain the freedom of the seas against German submarines will lie increased. It is assumed the visiting officers furnished much first-ihand information as to the steps the entente powers have found most effective in dealing with the submarine peril. / Plots Open to Warships. American'’ ports as a yOsnlt of the meeting are opened to whatever entente war vessels find nec<'ssion to call, and. in pursuance of Its |mt rol, the United States is givenphe use of Bermuda, Jamidea, the Bahamas and other British naval vases in tin- Atlantic. Eventually, it was disclosed, the American navy also will take Over Halifax as a base and extend its patrol to guard the Canadian const. U. S. Blockade Expected. It has been expected that Germany would formally announce a submarine blockade of Boston, New York, the mouth of 4he Delaware, the mouth of the Chesapeake, Charleston and Savannah. These are the arteries through which flows the main traffic in foodstuffs and war supplies for Europe. A plan under which the United Slates and Greet Britain will exchange naval officers from time to time, to promote co-operation of the joint naval forces, was approved. Mexican Question Up. The conferees also discussed the supply. of oil from the Tampico oil fields and the threats of Carranza to impose an embargo on the exportation of the fuel. The foreign officers were assured that (lie United States will permit no interruption of the supply. warships are now stationed in the vicinity of Tampico. The navy will be charged with the duty of safeguarding the 1,000 wooden steamers it is proposed to construct to keep'a constant and unfailing supply of munitions and food going to the ailies.