New-York tribune., 1919-12-27
Feels Board Was Too Lib
eral to Officers Whose
Duty Was Mainly on
Shore, Says Secretary
Order Suddenly
Follows Protest
TO Take Action Jan. 5
to Do Justice by Those
"Who Suffered at Sea-

WASHINGTON. Dec. Secre-
tary Daniels tonight ordered the
Navy DEPARTMENT. board of awards
.econvened on Monday, January 5,
70 revise the recent recommendations
is to naval awards, which have been
he source Of argument. The con-
rcversy was brought to head a
lew days ago by the refusal of Ad-
miral Sims to accept the Distin-
uished Service Medal, while the
swards remained as at present.
while approving in the main rec
ommendations Of the board of
awards said Mr.. Daniels in his or
der to Rear Admiral A. NJ. Knight
10 reconvene the board, my exami-
nation into the subject has convinced
me there are q number of cases re-
quiring further examination, and
there have been additional recon-
mendations since your board ad-
iourned which require examination
by q board of officers"
Sudden Order to Reconvene
The order to reconvene the board
Eas made public late tonight, follow
ing receipt Of reports from Newport,
R. l., that Vice President Hilary P.
Jones and Captain Raymond de L. Has
brouck had followed Admiral Sims in
refusing to accept the medals be-
slowed on them. disagreeing with the
policy determining the officers to be
rewarded for services during the war.
Secretary Daniels, it was said At the
Navy Department. however, had re-
esived no 'Hformation as to the rcfu-
ss! Of Captain Hasbrouch or the re
ported refusal of Admiral Jones.
me Secretary's order to reconvene
The board. addressed to Rear Admiral
A. N. Knight, chairman, follows:
While approving in the main the
recommendations OF the Board Of
Awards, MY examination into the sub
lect has convinced me that there are a
Number of cases requiring further ex-
animation, and there have been add
uonai recommendations since YOUR
board adjourned which require ex-
animation by board Of officers
Reason Offered fer SITS
u felt in going over the list that the
board had been TOO liberal, particularly
as regards officers whose duty during
'ae war was mainly or altogether on
saore. teit that reports, some of
which had not come to your board,
particularly as TO men who had served
ana suffered in the war zone, justified
additional awards.
NO oficlai approval of any list has
aeeh made. All lists published were
tn,nt've Last week | ordered changes
uIade IN the LIST as printed awarding
,as ..s Dlsllngulshed Service Medal. among
So'hers, to Admiral knight, Admiral
'Oaperton and Eice-Admiral Jones. I
aAd also decided that like awards should
S Se gwen TO certain other officers who
700 rendered long and arduous serv-
,se on conveys ana other service atioat
IN the war zone.
feel that nothing should be left
Moone as far as is humanity possible
" insure that the awards shall be
.ace without the possible suggestion
VI injustice or discrimination against
any person in the naval service. and 7
nave therefore decided to recouvene
sae BOARD OF awards to reconsider the
S;.e 1.oie SUBJECT IN the light of the ad-
s..'onal W. Information recently sent 20
ae bureau of Navigation and such
s.AeI information as any person in the
the board. '"' "eA0' {
VI The board will therefore meet in
1920" ''''u"'S -