Washington, Oct, 1.
Navy Department yesterday imposed secrecy on the move+ ment of scores of American warships, including units expected to participate in important manœuvres off Hawaii within the next three weeks. The Navy order indicated secrecy was being imposed on the movement of ships to tighten the nation's "neutrality patrol". The order, however, also applied to the main Fleet based at San Diego and San Pedro, although neutrality patrol activities have not been extended to the west coast.
As a result of the new order, the Fleet manoeuvres off Hawaii, which will involve more than 100 American warships including aircraft carriers, probably will begin without public announcement, Announcement of secrecy orders on the movement of American warships coincided with reports that the Navy will soon increase its submarine forces in the Far East. Earlier reports had said replacements were being sent to Manila, but indications last night were that submarines now in the Far East will remain there despite new arrivals.
Strengthening the under-sea power of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet follows the arrival of an initial fourteen long-range Navy bombers and the seaplane tender U.S.S. Langley in Manila ten days ago.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.