Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-04-11
People You Ask About
Information About Folks In
the Public Eye VIII Be Given
In This Column in Answer
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Name VIII Not Be Printed.
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British Tribute to Sims.

British Tribute to Sims.
For various reasons the time has
not yet come for an adequate review
Of the part played by the United
States navy in the war. But the
impending departure from England
of Admira. William Sowden Sims,
commander in-chief of United States
naval forces operating in European
waters since America entered the
war, makes 1t appropriate to recount
his activities, and, in outline, those
Of the men and ships under him.
Few In Great Britain may realize the
dimensions of the forces which Ad-
miral Sims commanded. At the
signing of the armistice they in
cluded nearly 400 ships Of various
types, over 5000 officers, and $4,000
men-a considerably larger naval or
ganizarion than the United States
possessed before the war.
Admiral Sims name has become
almost household word with us
since the day in April. 1917. when he
arrived within week of Americas
declaration of war. and was forth
in the royal navy as what he is-one
of the foremost sailors of the day.
Practically throughout his stay in
table in Whitehall. From the first
there must be complete co-opera-
the British navy in particular. Uni
or - IN hn =, ic r,,{ tnr
his forces were to be looked
upon as reserves; where they should
go and in what numbers should be
determined only by the general
strategical situation. Adherence to
this policy involved the subordination
of personal ambitions and national
Admiral Sims's diplo-
macy was typically American; he
put on no airs; he meant what he
said: he kept nothing up his sleeve.
He addressed himself to people both
in the United States and Great
Britain with especial fearlessness,
and insisted that the world at large
should he in no doubt that 1t was
British sea power that won
the war.
Shielded by the grand fleet, the
United States warships escorted
the war zone 81 per cent Of
the American expeditionary forces,
or about 1,250,000 troops, without
loss. OF the 100000 American
troops transported to France, As per
cent were carried in American trans
ports. OF all the cargo vessels sent
to France, England and Italy, while
the United States was In the war, ~
per cel.t were conveyed through the
war zone by United States naval yes
sells.
Admiral Sims forces laid about 80
per cent of North sea mine barrage
extending from the Orkneys to Nor
way The mines were handled en-
tirely by American men and laid
from q squadron OF United States
merchant ships which had been con-
verted into minelayers. In one OPP
Grafton it is reportd that a field OF
over 5000 mines was laid in less
than four hours-a feat said to be
without parallel in mining.
American naval headquarters In
London created an organized naval
aviation force. foreign service. con-
,isting of approximately 10000 men
was distributed along the coast line !
Of Europe from the North Sea to
he Adriatic, and created 16 seaplane
stations, four dirigible stations.
three kite balloon stations, two large |
assembly and repair bases, and a |
powerful bombing group in northrn |
France. The United States navy also |
ent many airmen and air mechanics
10 the allies while they were waiting
Tor their own aeroplanes.
AS comrades Of the mist" a
squadron of American dreadnought
oattleships-units of unrivalled ex-
,ellence--operateG during the last !
year of the war as an integral part OF
Admira, Beatty's armada, and a d.
vision of submarines based on Ire
and operated off the channel against
enemy submarines. A force of spe-
,ially built submarine chasers helped !
The allies at the, entrance of the
A driatic against the U-boats; an |
,ther force was similarly employed |
n the English channel and the Irish |
,ea. American destroyers and other |
anti-submarine craft were always |
1t work in British and French wa
.ers.
Admiral Sims is universally pop
liar with his subordinates. Those |
who have served under him have
found him to be q real leader OF |
men, believer in decentralization,
.rusting his juniors implicitly, de-
,lining to sap his own executive |
energies by interference with details,
md everywhere encouraging indi-
,idual initiative and exercise OF
on the part Of subordi-
mates, from whom in turn he has re-
,eived a peculiarly high degree OF
oyalty and affection. He goes home |
% be president of the naval war col
ege at Newport, Rhode Island, and
o resume the rank of rear admiral,
his adn1iralship having been con-
,erred only for the duration OF his
special war service in European wa
.ers; bur If, as his friends hope. he
IS soon to be raised to the rank of
of the American navy-a
'ank which does not at present ex-
SIT will be a fitting and deserved |
of his war work.-Cor- |
of London Times.
Legend of Lake.