Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-28
PRESIDENT HAS CASE
May Discipline Sims for Re-
cent London Speech.
LATTER SENDS STATEMENT
Understood That He Acknowledges
Quoted Remarks.
EXPRESSED PERSONAL VIEWS
That Explanation Not Accepted on
Similar Occasions as Suf-
fcient Excuse.

1t is for President Taft TO determine
whether Commander William s. Sims.
commanding the battleship Minnesota,
shall be disciplined. and il SO, to what
extent, for the alleged impOlitic speech
made by him at public dinner in Lon
don December 4. The banquet at which
the speech was delivered was given in
honor of the officers and men of the
United States fleet in the English chan
| mel and was one of the festivities which
marked the visit of the vessels to Eng
fish and French ports. Replying to the
welcoming speech Of the lord mayor of
London, Commander Sims, according to
the press dispatches, expressed his per-
SOnal belief that if the time ever came
when the British empire was menaced by
an external enemy, its people might count
on every man. every drop of blood, every
ship and dollar Of their kindred across
the sea.
The speech created something of SEN
sation and was severely criticised by
foreign newspapers, especially in Ger
many, because of its strongly pro-British
tone. Numerous protests were received
by the Navy Department from persons
Of other nationality than British. In
addition, it was asserted that the remarks
are likely to give offense to men, of
foreign descent. except British. in the
United States Navy.
Matter Referred to President.
Secretary Meyer called on Commander
Sims for an explanation of the incident,
and asked specifically if the officer had
made the remarks attributed to him.
Commander Sims reply was received by
Secretary Meyer yesterday afternoon
through Rear Admiral Murdoch, COM
handing the third division of the Allan
tic fleet, to which the Minnesota is at
tached. Because of the international fea-
lures involved. Secretary Meyer referred
the matter to the President for such ac-
ton as he deemed the incident warranted
Although not officially admitted, IL is
generally understood that Commander
Sims has acknowledged the substantial
accuracy of the published reports of his
speech and pleaded in extenuation that
he had simply expressed his own personal
sentiments without attempting to speak
on behalf of the government, the navy
or any one else. The fact that the matter
mas 5een placed in the hands of the
president is accepted in naval circles to
mean that some disciplinary measure is
contemplated. probably a reprimand and
possibly change Of duty.
Embarrassing to Administration.
The incident is especially embarrassing
to the administration at this time, be-
cause of existing commercial complica-
tons with Germany. Prominent Ger
mans have asserted that Sims remarks
indicated that the American government
was seeking an alliance with Great Brit
ain in anticipation of difficulty in the
potash negotiations.
The situation is made the more en-
barrassing to the United States govern
ment because Vice Admiral Bessen OF
France, presuming to speak with his gov
ernments knowledge, and others, are ap-
parently elated over the feeling of some
Germans that their country has been
snubbed by the American government in
sending the ships to English and French
ports and not to Germany.
Attention is called to the fact that
Sims spoke from a personal point of
view. which he apparently regards as
saving clause. On previous occasions
when officers have spoken too freely that
claim has not been accepted as a SUI
ficient excuse on the ground that it
would permit an officer to discuss any
political questions at any time, provided
he said he was speaking personally. Ac-
cOrding to the 2aval regulations no
officer is permitted to discuss. either in
conversation Or writing, public or pri-
vate. questions related to foreign inter-
course without instructions or permission