Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-09
SIMS PREDICTED j. S.
WOULD AID BRITISH
Reprimanded in 1910 for Pledging
Support TO British Should
They Need Us.

Springfield, Mass, Dec On a
speech before Young Mems Christian AS
socation workers Yesterday, Iosephus
Daniels, Secretary Of the Navy, made q
striking reference TO Admiral Sims and
the incident Of December. 1910, when,
then only commander, Sims declared
IN speech at London that If the time
ever came when the British Empire was
seriously mennced by an enemy, America
would rally to British support with every
man, dollar, and drop OF blood
he fact that the President recently
promoted Nice-Admiral SIMS TO be q full
Admiral Of the Navy, said MIR Daniels,
shows that in the American Navy no
one mistake OF Judgment or honest
error precludes any naval officer from the
highest promotion.
AS n young officer Admiral Sims,
then Commander Sims, received a repri-
mand from the President Of the United
States snd serious rebuke from the
Secretary of the NAVY because IT Il dinner
given by the Lord Mayor Of London
commander Sims, IN reply to the address
OF welcome of the Lord Mayor, said
If the time ever comes when the British
Empire is seriously menaced by an ex-
ternal enemy, 1t IS my opinion that YOU
may count upon every man, every dollar.
every drop OF blood OF your kindred across
the sea
Commander Sims was guilty of
serious infraction OF naval regulations,
and President Tafts reprimand was In
accordance with the duty OF the Chief
Executive under conditions rs they then
existed. II Is evident that no naval officer
ought 10 turn prophet 1t 4 public banquet,
particularly when his prophecy ofTends 4
nation with which ms Government IS 1t
peace. But tune has demonstrated one
thing. and that u th..t admiral SINS Was
true prophet, and the vears l9t7-lS
witnessed the literal fulfilment OF his
prediction TO he sure, Americ. did not
enter the war rs ~ ally OF Great Britain
as nation, but became associated with
Europe IA the blg war t,etstrss he prlnciple
Of freedom dear 10 eses1 free nation were
seriously mcn9ced Then both English
speaking nations, IN concert with other
Governments With tlndrcd spirit. re-
solved 70 spend evcrv dollar and every
drop Of blood that the hight OF liberty
should Hot lie e1tHglllshCd
When TIE time came - choose d
naval otflccr 81 high rank 10 represent
the American %RNa a Great britain. at
the heginhlug oi aut participation IN the
war, ihc iac: tbst then Rear Admiral
SIMS had nldf the mistake of utterIng
q prophecy insteasi ii confntng himself
to a discussion of usv4l uroi lens Wns
pot allowed TO dlsqaalifg hlm TOR The BIZ
lop which he hae performed sn Il big way
] hope his action aud his a1lIscauent
recognition and honors will not b, re-
garded ns q precedent, but at least L
will he noticed that no officer vii be
denied advancement for one mistake
when hls whole record otherwise shows
he las made good
There If one outstanding blessing
that ctnc 10 tn world an al the trag-
edy OF war, and thai IS Tie perfect CO.
operation and sympathy and comrade-
ship between the american and British
navies They worked together during
the struggle IN cidac cooperation with
other allied uavms They arp together
nov, and must forever he together in the
resolve 10 protect what their vaior has
Won, and preserve alike Tor themselves
and I'll the world the complete freedom
of the seas
High tribute was paid by MIR. Daniels
to the role played by the British Navy
in the war Sea power, Mr.. Daniels
declared was again III this war DEM
onstratcd to be essential To victory, for
without Tree movement OF troops and
munitions across the seas the allied forces
could not have prevailed
Mr. Daniels mentioned the l8rge con
tubution by the British Navy IN making
the seas sale for troops ard supply trans
p0rtatlon as we'll as IN its notable feat at
Iebugge, It's rcsourceluness In fighting
submarines, and ITS service III every naval
activity