The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-09-07

The time has passed when the pub
lie is much interested in the accounts
of chance observers or even in those
OF trained correspondents; what it de-
mands now is the story of naval and
military operations as told by the chief
participants themselves. This series is
to present the first of these great
narratives. 1T will be the most impor-
tant contribution which has SO far
been made to the history of the war.
Admiral william Sowden Sims, the
commander OF the American naval
forces operating in European waters,
is now writing the naval history of
the war from April. 1917. until the
signing OF the armistice in November.
1918. His subject is probably the most
dramatic episode in the history OF all
naval warfare-the destruction OF
the German submarine. Admiral Sims
viii picture the sudden reversal in the
fortunes OF the allied countries which
took place in the nineteen months.
and describe the forces which trans
formed an overwhelming victory for
Germany into an overwhelming de-
feat
He will disclose how, in April. Ger
many was winning the war at a rate
SO rapid that our European allies
were greatly disturbed at the outlook.
and how, I'm n few months. the SUBJ
marine had lost nearly all its terrors
and had ceased to be menace to
liberty and modern civilization. In de-
scribing this Transformation Admiral
Sims will not limit himself to Ameri-
can naval operations. though he will
naturally give these in great detail;
he will really present a clear history
of the anti-submarine war in it's most
critical period. The triumph over the
submarine Is a permanent monument
TO Anglo American cooperation 1t
was accomplished by pooling the best
naval brains and the greatest nautical
skill of both countries; the contribu-
tions which the two nations made arc
so closely interviewer that they can
hardly be separated and for this rea-
son 1t Ia necessary to treat the great
achievement as a whole. The net re-
suit of Admiral Sims history is that
the public viii learn, for the first time
precisely how the submarine was de-
feated. how the landing of huge
American supplies and a mighty
American army in France was made
possible-how. in word, the world war
was won.
Certainly there is no man, on either
side or the Atlantic, who IN more
qualified than Admiral Sims 10 tall
this story. His selection to command
our naval forces was one of the most
fortunate outcomes or our particina-
ton in the world conflict. For this
position the Adrniral's whole life had
serFed as a preparation; indeed tbera
seems something almost foreordainad
in the way that the events OF his
naval career had trained him for this
supreme task. For many years Amer
leans who were interested In tha,r
navy had known Admiral Sims as the
most vigorous. intelligent and cour-
ageous officer on its rolls-as the ora
man, indeed. who had been chiefly e
sponsible for its efficiency and figbt,n1
power. Others who followed naval mat.
ters less closely Were familiar vv,tb
his name as one that had appeared
periodically in the public nrints
usually in connection with some start,
ling-even Observation-Disclosures. witn
these the name OF Sims sirnifiaa /, |
spirit of revolt. a man who was con-
stantly rehellings against autbor,ty
and tradition. a trouble-malrar a. ~
navy. possibly even a character dan~
gerous 10 International naacs T.
Europe. however. Particularly in Eng
land. Sims was much better Lro,,-.,
for there the most important naval
men had for many years astir,o.osl
him for what he was-one az The
greatest thinkers in any nav go
naval statesman who was in all 70
meets worthy of the nation which hsa
~oduced Mahan.
Admiral Sims Na csn.a;.
It's necessary at he berinnsr,s
Y knre.t one generally PREVAILING ,,.,s
fNsrelension about Admiral g.
2 Is ret a Canadian. and he -
yer been a British subject IT,,
miral has mot the fate thai
rEbly grects an American who ~
I'm sed distin guished success
II nsor m arrival hsme st.r.
stIaS talk aAout his pres,da. s.ed
v Certain boomers WI