New-York tribune., 1916-07-29
CALLS JUTLAND
FIGHT USELESS
Captain Sims Declares
British Gained Nothing
Worth While.
PROVED BATTLE
CRUISERS NEEDED
Officer Still Of Opinion That
This Type Is Essential to
American Navy.

Washington, July ZS.-Captain W. d.
| Sims of the battleship Nevada, who
was a star witness before the Con-
gressional naval committees during
preparation the naval bill, has re-
ported, on request OF Secretary
Daniels, that the battle Of Jutlsnd, in
which British battle cruisers bore the
brunt Of the German FIRE, has not
changed his belief as outlined TO the
committee that both battle cruisers and
battleships are essential to round out
the American rsyy.
Captain SINGS report, dated July Q,
never has been given out, as Secretary
Daniels believed some passages open
TO criticism on grounds Of neutrality,
and asked that another be submitted.
II was made public tonight as origi-
nally submitted, however, by Repre-
sentative Oliver, of the House Naval
Committee.
The captain reported that In his
opinion no accounts of the fight justi-
fed any argument against battle
cruisers, and that the only surprise 70
naval critics was the extraordinary re-
sistance Of that type of vessel when
pitted against battleships.
Captain Sims's Views.
at may be-" said Captain Sims, that
certain essential features of the battle
are being suppressed for reasons both
military and political. In view OF this,
opinions regarding the action should be
considered with extreme reservation.
This being clearly understood, the fol-
lowing comments are submitted:
"Referring to diagrams illustrating
the relative positions Of the British
main body and battle-cruisers and the
German main body and their battle
cruisers at the time sight contact was
first made between the battle-cruisers
of the two sides, it will be noted that
the situation was typical Of that con-
sidered most probable, in our war
games on the sea and on the game
board, in the opening phases Of sea
battle between large forceS.
Assuming the above forces in the
relative positions indicated and con-
sdering the great superiority Of the
British both in numbers and in power,
one Of two things must have happened:
Either the German main feet would
have been decisively defeated or It
would have declined decisive action by
retreating behind it's defences; and
even the latter would have inflicted
upon the Germans a humiliation i'm
possible 10 conceal, much less TO claim
as a victory for the encouragement OF
their people.
Disputes British Contention.
"The contention of the British writ
ers that the sacrifice of the battle
cruiser squadron in fighting delayed
action against the battleships late in
the afternoon was justified in the hope
of bringing on general action be-
tween the main fleets, is not believed
to be sound, and this for the simple
reason that the military situation did
not require the British feet to fight
decisive action, or any action at all,
because they already had practically as
complete control of the sea as would
have resulted from the defeat of the
enemy feet. Control Of the sea is ac
complished when the enemy's feet il
defeated or contained and the Ger
man feet has been contained since
the beginning of the war, is now con
tanned and doubtless will remain SO.
There is no reason TO believe that
the Germans have ever intended to risk
their feet in a decisive action against
the greatly superior British feet. They
are not in the habit of pitting any mill
tary force against twice its numbers Of
at least equally powerful units.
There is, on the contrary, every
reason to believe that the Germans
knew exactly what they intended to do
during this last sortie Of the grand
feet, and it is a reasonable presump-
tion that they accomplished what they
intended namely, the trapping and
polnding of the British battle-cruisers
before they could be supported by the
British main body.
Showed Remarkable Resistance.
"The surprise to naval critics, and
doubtless 70 the Germans, was the
extraordinary resistance battle-cruisers
can sustain and the extraordinary
amount Of damage they can inflict even
against battleships. This indicates
greatly enhanced value when they are
employed in their proper role in a gem
eral naval engagement-that is, with
their enfilading fire as fast wings, their
driving power on the scouting line,
their support of destroyer attacks, etc.
THAT the British attacked battle
ships with battle cruisers and armored
cruisers is their own affair. They
doubles had what they considered
sufficient reasons for doing so; but we
may rest assured that this was done
with full knowledge Of the probable
nature OF the sacrifice, and not with
the idea that these vessels are a match
for bsttleships. At all events,
battle-cruisers have proved that in case
of necessity they can fight a delaying
action against battleships with reason
able chances OF success.
No Argument Against Cruisers.
There is nothing, however, in the
incidents Of the fight to justify any
argument against the necessity for bat
tie cruisers When for any reason they
are deliberately put against battleships
they must expect TO suffer in proper
ton to the relatively small number Of
their guns and the relative lightness
of their armor. IL is the same with
all other types OF vessels.