Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-22
PRESIDENT INVOLVED.
Roosevelt and Evans Connected
With War on Naval Critics.
SIMS ADMITS SAYING THINGS


Roosevelt and Rear Admiral Evans
have become directly connected with
the investigation of criticisms of the
navy now being conducted by Secre-
tary Metcalf. Lieutenant Commander
w. s. Sims when asked to make a
statement as to what information he
provided for newspaper and magazine
critics went to the president for adj
vice. Sharply questioned by Secretary
Metcalf, he stood by his guns, admit
ted that the magazine articles embody
many of his views and quoted Rear
Admiral Evans as authority for a state
ment that the armor belts of battle
ships of the American fleet We're
awash when they left for the Pacific
As this is in direct contradiction to the
report of Rear Admiral Converse. Sec
rotary Metcalf cabled Rear Admiral
Evans at Callao. saying:
Lieutenant Commander Sims quotes
you as saying that armor belt was
awash when the feet left for sea. Is
this correct?''
Hill Also Questioned.
Other statements made by Lieuten-
ant Commander Sims will also be ver-
fed by cable from Rear Admiral Evans
and other officers on the fleet. The re-
ply from Rear Admiral Evans referring
to the armor belt is of special interest,
as President Roosevelt has told some
of his friends that on account of re-
cent criticisms he noticed the armor
belt particularly and that on all more
recently built ships the belt was not
less than two or three feet above wa
ter. M '.'t..- '
In addition to Lieutenant Com
mander Sims. Lieutenant Commander
Frank K. Hill has been served with a
special letter from Secretary Metcalf
containing list of questions referring
to battle drill, freeboard, height of gun
positions, armor belt, open turrets on
the Kentucky and Kearsarge and 9TH
er matters in one of the magazine arti-
cles referred to. A copy Of one letter
shown to reporter is not the exact
duplicate of the others sent out, as
Secretary Metcalf for some reason
made a slight change in the letters
which he addressed to Lieutenant
Commander Sims and to Lieutenant
Commander Hill. In each case, how
ever. the regulations of the navy for
bidding naval officers to provide infor-
nation to the public Is referred to, and
the officers are called upon to make
written answers to the series of ques-
lions submitted.
Sims Defends Position.
Lieutenant Commander Sims imme-
diately referred his letter to Presi-
dent Roosevelt, admitting that he was
indirectly responsible perhaps for some
of the information, as his confidential
reports had been shown to officers In
the service, who doubtless had talked
matters over in the messroom and had
given out information which later be-
came public. A full statement of the
part he had played in the matter Of
criticising the navy was made, and
President Roosevelt said he would
take no action for the present. ....
In addition to his formal reply &C
knowledging the receipt Of Secretary
Metcalf's communication, Lieutenant
Commander Sims has answered yer.
bally some Of the charges. stoutly de-
Tending his position with respect to
his idea of the needs of the navy. He
gives an authority for many Of his as
sertions positive statements quoted
from authorities in the navy, most Of
whom are now with the feet at Cal.
lao. In order to get at the facts Sec
rotary Metcalf adjourned the hearing
until he has had time to officially veri-
fly the assertions of the authorities
named by cable from the feet.