The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-02
Says Praise Given Amer
ican Vessels and Men
Not Merited by Their
Actions.
Commander Create S
Sensation in Senate
Committee Hearing
Despite Objections.

"The NEST disgraeefuI exhibition
ever witnessed on the face of this
globe was the shameful state Of in-
efficiency by the United States navy
during the Spanish WaT.1
That was the statement made be-
fore the Senate Committee on Naval
Affairs today by Commander Sims,
formerly naval attache to President
Roosevelt, participant In the Span
lsh war, aud an inspector Of target
practice In the navy.
Commander Sims had been called be-
fore tls committee 10 state what he
knew about tho criticisms which have
been current regarding the condition
OF the battieships OF the United States.
Urged to Stick to Subject.
Throughout his entire examination lie
chafed 10 express views which the COM
mittee did not care 70 hear. Chairman
Hale requesting the naval officer 70
conhns himself strictly to a discussion
OF what ne knew about the aFmored
belt now prevailing IN the navy. what
he would suggest as a remedy. and the
safety or danger Of the present turrets
In battleships.
Commander Sims asked for permis-
sion 10 depart from the subjects as
signed to him, but Senator Hale re-
fused 10 yield. Finally when the hear
ing way concluded and IN response 10
a question asked by Senator TiIlman
the naval officer. t0 the astonishrnenJ
Of every one in the COMMITTEES room,
burst OUT in condemnation OF the UniteI
States navy as It existed at the time
OF the Spanish war IN 1898.
81 was Unoer the impression" said
Senator Tillmau. when he had recovered
from his surprise. that the naval bat
ties Of Santiago and Of Manila bay
brought glory to our ships and praise
tlcm the entire world"
Praise hot Merited.
"Such praise was not merited." as
serted Commander Sims, and there is
documentary evidence at the Navy De-
partment TO prove my assertion"
Commander Sims did not specify 70
which battle he referred. but, in re-
sponse 20 Senator Tnlman's remark.
he made the following statement:
Nine thousand proJectiles were fired.
about u per cent The rest were misses
The exhibition Of workmanship was 0fs-
graceful If there had been any decent
display OF seamalsh!p on the part OF
tne Spaniards they would have gotten
away, and our guns would not have
stopped them. Cervera did not have
proper ammunition to fit his guns"
IF he did have he would have made
trouble for our feet. As Il was he was
'sD0 understand that YOU state that
our navy was no better than the Span
ish navy" asked Senator Hale.
No. sir" replied Commander Sims, I
'our navy was the better of the two
Condition Continued.
Senator THlman asked II the cond:-
tion charged by Commander Sims con-
tinued after the war, and Commander |
Sims replied:
That Shameful condition OF inef-
hciency IN the navy continued I'd 10 /
1893. During the last five years. how |
ever, we have largely made up for 1
TIE deficiencies which existed at the !
time OF the war. There has however.
been a constant resistance to the criti- /
cism offered by the officers for the bet /
taruent OF the ships"
Senator Hale expressed the opinion
that the condition Of the navy as if i
existed in 1898 did not intere the COM
which Commander Sims admitted had
been made since that time. Senator
Tillman remarked, however, that the
statements Of the witness interested
him vastly.
It is thought Mr. TiIIman will de-
mand further information regarding the
two naval battles which, up to this
time. have been looked upon as the most
glorious tn the history Of the United !
States navy.
Prepared to Startle Senate.
Commander Sims went to the com
mittee hearing primed to give some
startling evidence That was made an
parent by his anxiety to delve into the
entire question OF the deficiencies OF
the past and present in the navy. and
be had beside him a huge leather case
filed with papers for the purpose OF
proving his assertions. His repeated re-
quests to tell his story in his own
way, and 10 be excused from cross-ex-
animation until he had concluded that
story, were disregarded.
Despite the caution of the chairman
hat he must confiuc himself to the sub I
ect nf med, Commander Sims frequent !
y slipped into his answers statements ,
o shO 3 at the Navy Department not
,nly dlI not want criticism from the {
,ffiCers, .but suppressed it and did everv- / [
hing possible to hinder 1t. :
Critic. SINS of Importance. I
The criticisms of Commander Sims
ire cor -sidereo Of great Importance by
hose gho were informed of the sub-
tance of his -emarSs in view OF his [
vide experience. He has served as na-
al attache abr )ad. and while perform Q
ng that duty mingled freely, and VS. Y
ted frequently, the battleshlps in the
'rench, English, German, and Rus q
ian naVies.
Confaing himself to the subjects
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