The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-27
Sensational Controversy Be
tween Naval officers
and Secretary
FIGHT ON DANIELS
is RENEWED
Congress VIII Take A Hand In
Row Over War Medal Re-
wards

Washington. Dec. 23.-Rumblin:ss
ef dissatisfactio within the navy at
the way Secretary Daniels has ar
ranged the awards of decorations for
war service came to the surface today
when it became known that Admiral
Sims, former commander of American
naval forces in European waters. hal
declined to accept his distinguishe!
service medal. while the awards re-
main as at present.
At the same time, the row which up
; to this time has been smoulderinS
one, gave indications Of a showing up
IN congress. Chairman Page and the
senate naval committee asked for
report on the awarding of the deco
rations and Secretary Daniels trans
naitted it to him tonight.
Meanwhile, Representative Lufkin.
Republican. Massachusetts,. member
Of the house naval committee an
nounced that he would ask the house
to call for similar report.
Coming as the climax to published
charges that Secretary Daniels had
rearranged the whole list Of awards.
raising some officers to higher distinc-
ton than recommended and blue
penciling others, publication of Ad-
nhiral Sims action created a new SEN
sation in the navy department. ard
added q new chapter to the long COL
test in which some naval officers have
complained of the secretary's admin
defended him with equal vigor.
{ The whole thing has been brought
to, head by the act Of Admiral Sims,
Who writing an official communication
to Secretary Daniels from the naval
far college at Newport. z. l.. has set
out that. officers for whom he recon-
naended the distinguished service med
aAhighest of all naval decorations
except the congressional medal of
nonor-received by the secretary's re-
vision Of a decoration of lesser value.
and. that other officers whose duties
and. services Admiral Sims considered
AS Of lesser value received by the re-
Tisiofi. the more valued decorations.
. A. the same time. it develops. Admir-
al Sims sent -franked copies of his let
'es TO many naval officers in Wash
ine1on. His action became known
first through them. and later today.
Mr.. Daniels gave out the letter. with
out comment Earlier in the day.
however. Mr.. Daniels had announced
f4lathe had prepared the report ask
I'D for by Senator, Page and tonight
after transmitting it to the senate
made public copies of it.
q Admiral Sims, in his letter. does not
appear to refuse his decoration uncon-
Hitionally. He refused it under the
conditions he outlines and he asked
for an opportunity to explain the rea-
sons for his original .'ecommcnda-
tions Besides that. the admiral does
not ask that the highest award be tax
en- from any officer upon whom it al
rec dy had been conferred but he does
ask for q revision upward Of some
of The lesser decorations
-. Sims long known as the stormy
petrol of the navy since his sensa-
tfonal last drop of blood" speech in
the Guild Hall at London, when he
drew the attention of the foreign Of
fees OF Eerlin. London and Wash
irSton. has figured in navy sensations
,hefore and has many warm supporters
among the officers.
$ Secretary Daniels. report to Chair
man Page of the senate naval COM
I7;ttee. outlines the general policy fol-
lowed by the secretary in awarding
medals and distinctions to nava, off,
cSrS and enlisted mon
Indicating that the entire cantro-
ycrsy that has now come TO light re-
wolves around the ola navy depart
n1cnt disagreement as to which class
of service-shore or sea--is more i'm
porant. Secretary Daniels in his re-
port said:
The value Of the duty on shore was
duly recognized but in my opinion il
should be of the highest Importance
and responsibility in order that this
du:y should be recognized by the
award of the same kind Of medals and
at the same time in positions Of grave
danger in the active war zone. and this
Was the standard which any particu-
iar case had to meet for an officer on
Shore duty TO be awarded the medal.
Emphasizing his belief that officers
engaged in hazardous and responsible
duties in the North sea mining squad
Ipr1, the destroyer force. the convoy
And the armed guard service. should
BE given preference in the award OF!
high honors over officers serving on
shore and in position in great respon-
SiSi.ity. and officers serving with ships
N home waters. Secretary Daniels said
that the services rendered by these
different forces was recognized by the
kNard Of awards assigning certain !
medals to the officers in command Of
the ships and stations concerned and
this plan OF procedure met my ap-
prevail
In contrast to Admiral Sims state
n1ent that the commanding officers o!
SLIPS sunk by enemy submarines
should not receive decorations. Mr..
Daniels in his report. said:
.Tn addition to the recognition of
tie service rendered bv officers and