New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-04
Secretary Knew Gist of His
Preparedness Warning,
Says Admiral.
SENATE GETS LETTER
ASKING AN INQUIRY
Lodge Defends Naval Officer,
Declaring Injustice Has
Been Done to Him.
From The Tribune Buresu.l

Rear Admiral Fiske by Senator Till
man, chairman Of the Naval Commit
tee, ms n "sniper." carrying on a "guer-
lila warfare" against Secretary Of the
Navy Daniels, and a defence of the
sailor by Senator Lodge. Republican
member Of the Naval Committee, mark
ed the making public of the Fiske let
ter refuting the Secretary's charges,
in the Senate to-day.
In his letter Admiral Fiske requests
a hearing before such persons as the
Vice President may designate to deter
mine the truth or falsity Of the Dan
iels charges against him, which allege,
In the opinion of the admiral, under
handedness and grave breach OF Of
fetal propriety.
THE Secretary Of the Navy has moth
ing to conceal declared Senator Till
man, in having the letter read into the
Congressional Record, "and courts an
investigation II one is demanded.
Neither he nor his friends here like
this kind of sniping or guerrilla war
fare. Therefore | content myself with
asking that Fiske's letter TO the Vice
President be published in the Record,
so that all may judge how little there
really is TO his utterances except malice
and wounded vanity. Disappointed am
bition. too has had much TO do with his
conduct. lie has brooded over what he
supposes TO be his wrongs, until he
seems to be obsessed, and ] really feel
sorry for him.
Defends Admira lFiske.
Senator Lodge said:
when the Senator from South Caro-
lima (Mr. Tillman) presented a letter
from Admiral Fiske there was so much
in the Chamber which | may
say still crisis that il was impossible
for me to hear all that the Senator said.
Upon looking at the Record find that
! think he did some injustice to Adj
miral Fiske. The Secretary of the Navy
has seen fl or one or two occasions
to attack the veracity OF Admiral Fiske.
Il was done before the House commit
tee. and he did il again quite gratui
tously, as it seemed TO me wnen he sent
in his letter which was forwarded TO
the Senate in answer 70 my resolution.
Admiral Fiske is an officer OF the
highest rank. who has had an unblem-
ished career in the navy. He is en-
gagged in no sniping. guerrilla warfare,
but has the desire that every honorable
man has 10 protect his own reputation
a complete right 20 do. The facts can
easily be determined when they are all
laid before the Senate.
81 only wish 10 say this word, for |
did not wish injustice done to dis
and patriotic officer
Admiral Fishes Letter.
Rear Admiral Fiske's letter. made
public to-day, follows:
I'm a communication TO he Senate.
dated April 81. 1916, transmitting a copy
Of a letter dated November 9. 1914,
20 the Navy Department from me as
Aid for Operations. the Secretary Of
the Navy makes the following state
ment:
" This communication was not
furnished me. and ! did not know Of
Is existence until long after II was
written. / find upon inquiry that it
VAS filed with the chief clerk, without
my knowledge that il had been writ
zen. Although Rear Admiral Fiske
sas in my office daily, he did not tell
ne that he had placed the communica-
ion on file.
" His article was written after the
estimates for the navy as required by
aw had been submitted, and was left
IN ignorance Of its existence, while
congress was considering legislation
for the increase Of the navy and ac-
.Ually enacting legislation which has
secured the best organization the Navy
Department Las enjoyed in its history.
81 was greatly surprised when |
learned that a communication deemed
important enough now 10 be the sub
ject of q Senate resolution was not
considered by its author of sufficient
Importance for him TO present in per-
son 10 me, instead of depositing IL,
without acquaintinC me of his action.
in the files of the Navy Department
"2. This statement constituted an
accusation against me of a grave
breach OF official prSpriety-in fact, of
actual undcrhandedness Of an attempt
to conceal an important letter from the
Secretary; while. as a matter Of fact,
was always scrupulously careful never
to permit him 20 receive or 10 remain