The Washington herald., 1911-01-14
Rebuke of Commander Sims.

1t has been announced in some quarters,
| with what authority We may not know,
that Commander w. S. Sims, U. s. N.
has been advised to resign from the naval
establishment, Of which he has been for
many years a conspicuous and active, not
to say useful. member. This separation,
or attempt at separation, Of that officer
prompted by the rebuke couched IN severe
terms. Of Capt Sims by the President in
a letter sent over Mr.. Taft's signature
to the head Of the Navy Department, who
is instructed further to convey by more
direct means the information that Com
mander Sims has incurred the displeasre
Of the administration by reason Of his
speech at Guildhall when, in the exuber-
ance of the moment of British entertain
ment OF representatives of the American
navy. Commander Sims offered the loyal
ty and aid of his countrymen for British
resistance to a common foe 'to the last
drop of blood
The expression doubtless was intended
to be a compliment to the British hosts,
without any injury to the feelings Of
those Of any other government; but the
Germans have been prompt and emphatic
in their protest, and have. evidently. made
this known to the authorities in Wash
ington. OF course, under such circum-
stances. the expression Of Commander
Sims takes on an importance which it
did not possess at the time Of the ora
torical commitment. 1t is somewhat fool
ish to regard such expressions as having
ion OF an individual. OF course. if for
eign critics are disposed to read into the
remark an insult which could not have
been intended by its author and which
has now been so vigorously repudiated
by the President. there is no avoidance of
the apology and assurance OF good will
inspired by such incidents.
The letter which the President has sent
to the Secretary Of the Navy as a result
OF this GuildhaIl incident is a remark
able document. in one respect. at least.
1t is not usual for the rebuke of naval
officers to be conveyed in this duplicate
fashion-once in the Presidential letter to
the Cabinet officer. and then in an order
issued by the Navy Department. both
given publicity. II Commander Sims has
proven himself so unreliable on shore in
the public addresses which now go to
make up these International festivities as
to require reprimand from the Pres
ident, It would seem that that onicer
should be detached from command afioat.
His friends have a right to entertain a
grievance that the ohicer has been no
roundly scolded. with publicity attaching
to his humiliation. and yet il found en-
titled to retain his position in command
Of one OF the biggest battle ships Of our
largest feet It is. looking at the situa-
tion In that way. an incongruous DISPOSE
tion Of our latest diplomatic entangle-
ment. This affair viii enable US to enjoy
the more the discontinue Of the Japanese
government in being called upon to dis-
cipline its rear admiral for his alleged
remarks CONCERNING President Taft and
the canal policy.
King Alphonso OF Spain Is training his
mustache like Emperor Williams. Per-
haps he thinks that may scare the In
cipient revolutionigts.
Maryland hen b said % have died
after laying dve egss In three hours. Her
heart VA, probably broken 10 think that
such industry - hers lwas of heneft only
to the eold-stosaGe psople
A Connecttcut pastor who Aas resignsd
tfae ministry 70 tale - s6ciA1fn Gays
that ~ dos not know h0w - - so,ae
- neksse llvin6. H nalnhf ~ vsrkine.