The Washington herald., 1919-12-24

Babeock ~ Chief Victim.
Admiral Sims believes the most
fragrant case Of injustice was done TO
Commando J. v. Babcock. who was
Sims aide throughout the war. The
admiral recommended him for the D.
s. NJ. but both the board and Mr..
Daniels reduced this to a navy cross.
The Congressional investigation
win take up each case recommended
by Admiral Sims and will call for all
the documents on which the board
and Secretary Daniels reached their
conclusions. Admiral Sims has raised
q question Of fact, so 1t will require
the production Of evidence before q
competent judge, in the persons of
the members of q Joint Congressional
committee.
Secretary Daniels Snl make no
comment on the letter of Admiral
Sims, and especially on those features
of It which concern members OF his
family and the nations naval pol
icy. He indicated yesterday however.
that the work Of awarding medals
had by no means been completed and
that II any injustice were done in
any particular case. and II II were
called to his attention, he would take
steps 10 remedy tne WTOnB.
Question Of DIscipIIaing.
Secretary Daniels would not say
whether or not Admiral Sims. who
is now head OF the Naval War Col
lege at Newport. had committed an
infraction of the rules which might
render him amenable to discipline.
1t IL assumed that Admiral Sims will
not be challenged. as Secretary Dan
iels has held that any person. even
outside Of the navy. has a perfect
right to appeal to him in cases Of
injustice.
The only statement which Secre-
tary Daniels would make follows:
Last week received a letter from
the Hon. c. 8. Page. chairman of
the Naval Affairs Committee Of the
Senate. requesting n copy Of the So
called Knight board recommendations
of award.
IT called up Senator Pages Office
and informed the secretary of his
lected and as soon as II was ready
I would be pleased to furnish It to
him.
Three Chief Points.
Directions have been given to pre-
pare n SlAICIhcUl NHe 1Ol-
lowing information:
81. All recommendations for
awards by admirals. captains and
other commanding officers.
80. The action OF the board upon
all such recommendations and its
complete report.
IS. The action taken by the de-
partment.
'.As soon as this data Is ready
(it must be collected literally from
reams Of recommendation It will
he sent to Chairman Page and given
to the public
Principles In Conflict.
There is a conflict of principles be-
tween Secretary Daniels and Admiral
Sims. on the merits Of which Congress
must decide.
In his letter to Senator Page. Mr..
Daniels said he believed the dis
tinguished service medal should be
awarded chiefly to those men whose
lives were endangered by duty at sea
and who suffered most and rendered
the most distinguishes services.
Admiral Sims believes the most i'm
portant duty In time Of war is that Of
planning and directing the military
operations OF the whole force" He
holds that the Importance Of success
full leadership and the recognition that
should follow II have mo logical re-
lation to the position ashore or afioat
from which such leadership must be
exercised" This position Of Admiral
Sims would justify his recommenda-
ton Of the distinguished service
medal to officers who we're not at
sea on active duty IN military opera
tons. and this IL where he clashes
principally with the policy Of the