The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-08


wrong information given us. / suppose
you know that early In 1917 the Central
Powers were winning the war. They
were sinking an immense amount OF
ships.
I'VE did not begin to send our ships
across In conveys for some time. for
there we're many mon. both of the navy
and the merchant marine, who did not
believe thirty or forty ships could bo
sent safely in convoy. Finally we had.
a couple Of experimental trips made
from Gibraltar. and a. the guarded ships
and their conveying warships got
through all right We had proved 1t could
be done. We still had the submarine
best with good results--results which
changed our calculations
And don't forget the men Of the mer-
chant marine. They stood by us at all
times and did their duty In every re-
spect. No torpedo could keep them back.
know Of mon torpedoed six times, and
yet they kept on and crossed the ocean
again and again.
AT the beginning the navy did no.
understand the merchant marine. They
thought US a pink tea outfit and we
looked on them as hardy sailors and
that was all. Now we understand each
them Drawer men never went to sea-"
Dodges Views on Peace.
The Admiral had no views to offer as
to the Peace Conference. He said he had
not been in Paris since the conference
began and had had nothing to do with
peace negotiations, except before the
armistice was signed, when he was
called upon for an expression Of opinion
as to the naval terms that should be in
cluded
He spoke of the ~ inch naval guns
which were trained on the German ar
mics by Admiral Plunkett. He said
that the building of these guns and Of
carriages for them In America was a
wonderful piece of work and that the
whole episode was n great stunt"
The Admiral received while at sea an
invitation to speak before the Civic
Forum. signed by Henry Clews and
George w. Wickersham, but has not had
time to send a reply.
Admiral Sims told the Associated
Press last night how he went to Eng
land under an assumed name.
When he was president OF the Naval
War College at Newport he was ordered
to report without delay to the Secre-
tary OF the Navy at Washington. He
was not notified OF the nature OF the
business to be discussed. Upon his ar
rival there he was received in secret
conference with Secretary Daniels and
Admiral Benson. chief OF naval opera
lions.
He was told that II Cooked as though
we shall go to war" and II was briefly
explained that he was to 20 at once ito
see the people on the other side" and
reach an understanding as to how the
United States best could cooperate with
allied sea forces in operations against
Germany. One aid would be allowed
to accompany him, he was told, and his
identity must not be known until 1t
might he decided to reveal II after his
safe arrival abroad.
Commander ]; " Babcock OF New
hampton, Iowa. aid to Admiral Sims at
Newport, was chosen to accompany him.
and both officers Immediately laid aside
their uniforms and denned civilian
clothes,
simultaneously they dropped their
names and assumed others more suit
able to the occasion"
"Rfchardson" and "Robertson."
"Babcock and l chose Richardson
and Robertson as near as can recall
the Admiral said. II can't think OF the
full names. and I am not at all sure
that these are correct But that's how
seem to remember them"
The Admiral and his aid sailed from,
the port of New York March 81. 1917
on tho steamship New York. he said
No one on the vessel recognized them
and they passed the time as ordinary
voyagers without feeling any unusual
fear OF their identities being revealed.
NJ ha nlar ,tg 90 10
tho United States on April s reached
them by the ships wireless news ser.
vice. II did not disturb them.
Entering Liverpool harbor on April 8
In thick mist the steamship struck a
mine and a hole was blown In one OF
her forward compartments. but the Ad-
miral and his aid were mot especially
disturbed" by that either
There was no reception committee &c
meet them at Liverpool. Admiral Sims
said. They went ashore unnotced
like anybody else" A special trair
was waiting in the Liverpool railroad
yards. however, with Admiral Hope
aboard representing the British Ad
inlralty! II simply stood there until
Admiral Sims and his companion
climbed aboard, Then It pulled out for
London.
See JelIicoe on Arrival.
They arrived In London April 10. both
Admiral Sims and Commander Babcocl
still wearing their civilian clothes. They
| went at once to the Admiralty Offices
| where Admiral Sims went into confer
ence with Admiral Jellicoe.
On April - at a luncheon In Londor
| the United States Ambassador made tn,
| first formal announcement that Admlra
| Sims had arrived In the country. After
that the Admiral and his aid reappeareC
| In their navy uniforms, abandoning tbs
| names OF Richardson" and Robertson
| for all time.
Commenting on how he happened Il
| be" the officer selected 10 go abroad, Ad
miral Sims said.
81 was tho logical selection for q
number OF reasons, ! had been nava
attache at Paris from 1897 TO 1900.
! speak the French language. l had beer
TO England about every winter from 80.
to 1909 to talk gunnery with British
| Admiralty chiefs like Admiral Jellicot
| and Admiral Scott. l knew the Britist
and French naval heads. and for thre,
| years ! had been in command OF the At
lantlc torpedo fiotila on this side"
Newport Plans Big Reception.
Special Despatch 10 The Sun.
NEWPORT, April 7.-Work was started