Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-10


Of the Navy Meyer to publicly repri-
mand Commander W. S. Sims Of the
battleship Minnesota, whose utterances at
a banquet in London December 3 last
are termed ''invidious comparisons" by
the executive. and have been regarded
as undiplomatic by this government.
His offense has been SO conspicuous
that the action of the department in
reproving it should be equally so,'' writes
the President.
May Issue General Order.
The Presidents decision, which has
been awaited since the government de-
cided to take notice of the officers speech,
was announced just after the cabinet
meeting today.
It is understood the reprimand will be
administered by the Secretary of the
Navy in the form of general order con-
tanning a reprimand for the commander.
This order will be sent to every officer
in the United States Navy. 1t is also
probable that Commander Sims will be
ship Of the Atlantic feet and rebuked by
Admiral Schroeder in the presence Of the
officers of that squadron.
1IcS1ucAt 4dAI > AcLtCIs
The letter which reached Secretary
Meyer today reads as follows:
1.-THE White House.
Washington, January Q, 1911.
MY Dear Mr.. Secretary: am informed
by you that the lord mayor Of the city
of London December 3 last entertained
at dinner 500 men of the United States
fleet; that the men were commanded by
ovrdn
sans, in reply to the address of welcome
Of the lord mayor. used these words:
IF the time ever comes when the
British empire is seriously menaced by
an external enemy, it Is my opinion that
you may count upon every man., every
dollar, every drop of blood OF your
kindred across the sea-.
You ask me whether the delivery OF
such q speech, under the circumstances.
calls for action by the department.
think that 1t does. The navy is used
much as an instrument of peace One
of the chief functions that its officers
the representative one Of conveying to all
nations the. good will of the United
States. An important part of the edu-
cation Of a naval officer, therefore, Is in
struction in International law and dip
lomatic usage. He Is under special obi
CATION to see to it that what he does or
says shall not embarrass his government
in it's foreign relations.
Whenever he is called upon in a for
eign country to speak in public. so that
what he says will necessarily be brought
to the attention of the people Of other
foreign countries, 1t is his obvious duty
to avoid invidious comparisons, and to
limit his speech and his expressions Of
friendship for the country whose guest he
is to language that will not indicate a
lack of friendship toward other countries.
Should Guard His Words.
] am aware that upon the sudden spur
of the moment and under the enthusiasm
Of a cordial welcome grateful words
crowd to the lips of the guest. the whole
effect of which it may be difficult for him
to measure. 1t should be. however, the
business and training Of a naval ofi1cer
under such an impulse to restrain himself
within the limits of diplomatic inter-
course. To depart from it is not only
blunder but fault for which his gov
eminent cannot excuse him. Commander
Sims cannot escape censure on the ground
that what he said was mere expression
of his personal opinion; under the cir
cumstances he must speak as an Official
representative, and he should have known
that the words he used would at once
call for severe comment in other coun-
tries than Great Britain, and might in
volve this government in explanation and
disclaimer.
For these reasons / direct that a public
reprimand be given to Commander Sims
His offense has been so conspicuous that
the action of the department in reproving
1t should be equally SO.
Sincerely yours,
w. H. TAFT
Hon. George Won l.. Meyer,
Secretary OF the Navy.
Insurgent VS.. standpatter.
The race for the judgeship of the
eighth circuit has apparently narrowed
down to q contest between an insurEent
| and standpatter, both members of Con.
gress.
Representative Madison Of Kansas gave
| impetus to the boom for Representative
| George w. Norris, insurgent Of Nebraska,
| today when he had a heart-to-heart talk
with the President and urged the nOmi-
| nation of the insurgent
Representative Walter /. Smith of Iowa,
who has been the leading candidate for
the position vacated by the elevation OF
Judge Vandevanter to the United States
! Supreme Court, is one Of the leading reg
| ulars in the House.
While 1t Is known the President will
| not consider the question of progressive
| versus regular in making the appoint
| ment. friends Of both men are anxiously
| awaiting the outcome OF the race in which
| party policy lines are SO clearly drawn.
| Rumors we're afloat today to the effect
| that Mr.. Madison, as envoy Of the insur-
i gents reUiu60d Mr. Taft Of certa ain uroun-