The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-04-12
Sims Secret Mission
American Naval Commander
Sent to England Before
Declaration of War
~s q
Sims,

A CiInirai William =. Sims, accom- pan
led by one aide. proceeded incosnIto
into Eigland under navy department
orders issued him two weeks before
the United States entered the war
against Germany. was told the $50
ciated Press by the admiral here to-
night on his return from overseas. In
reply to questions he gave in simple
words a straightforward account OF
his mission, passing with dispassion-
ate comment over many an incident
of his adventure that we'll could be
Incorporated into the most roman
tic of war stories.
On March 81 or 25, 1917 the ad-
miral said. while he was president
of the naval war college at Newport,
he was ordered to report without de-
lay to the secretary Of the navy
Washington. He was not notified OF
the nature of the business to be dis
eussed. Upon his arrival there he
was received in secret conference with
Secretary Daniels and Admiral Ben
Son. chief Of naval operations.
}e was told that it looked rs
Though we shall so to war" and it
was briefly explained that he was to
go at once "to see the people on the
other side" and reach an understand
ing as to how the United States best
could cooperate with allied sea forces
in operations against Germany. One
aide would be allowed to accompany
him, ne was told and his identity
must not be known until it might
be decided TO reveal it after his safe
arrival abroad.
Commander ]. Y. Babcock of New
Hampton. Iowa, aide to Admiral Sims
at Newport was chosen TO accompany
him, and both officers Immediately
dcnned civilian clothes.
simultaneously they dropped their
names and assumed others more
suitable to the occasion" Admiral
Sims said he did not clearly remem-
ber what name he bore on his in
eoSnito adventure.
.,.'Ra bcock and I chose Richardson
and Robertson as near as I can re-
cali,'. he 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 aide. sailed
from New York March 81 1911, On
steamer New York, he said. No one
on the vessel recognized them
= News of the declaration Of war by
them by the ships wireless news
service It did not disturb them.
s Entering Liverpool harbor or April
9 in thick mist the steamer struck
a mine and 6 hole was blown in one
of her forward compartments, but
the admiral and his aide .Sere mot
especially disturbed" by that either.
at liverpool, Admiral Sims said,
they went ashore unnoticed like
anybody else" A special rtain was
waiting in the Liverpool railroad
yards, however, with Admiral Hope
aboard, representing the British al
1siralty.
They arrived in London on April
10. beth Admiral Sims and Com
fnauder Babceck still wearing their
civilian clothes. They went at once;
10. the admiralty Offices, where ADJ
niral Sims went into conference with
Admiral Jeilicoe.
On April 13 at q luncheon in Lon
don the United States ambassador;
made. the first formal announcement
that Admiral Sims had arrived in the
country. After that the admiral aud
his aide reappeared in their navy
uniforms and abandoned the names
of Richardson and Robertson" for
all time.
Commenting on '..how he happened
Ia be" the officer selected to so
abroad, Admiral Sims said:
.'I was the logical selection for
number of reasons. had been naval
attache at Paris from 1897 to 1890.
7 speak the French language. I had
been to England about every winter
from 1902 to 1909 to talk gunnery
with British admiral chiefs like Ad-
n1irals Jellico and Beatty. knew
the British and French naval heads.
And for three years / had been IN
command Of the Atlantic torpedo flo
tilla on this side"