New-York tribune., 1920-01-05
fsTABLIsHED 1870
Sims Quoted
In @Defense"
Censinued from page l

,..uyn 70 bis ship at daylight with .
..lv,os marty was an offense more seri-
~ than an error of judgment and
= adm;r,l Cleaves stated officially that
kg cannot rscommend him for the award
s;ther for medal or a cross
aRecause Of his previous service in
+ II. trsnsportation of troops, Captain
Hssbrouek was selected by my direc-
ton for Naval Cross, as was awarded
a acrananding officers of other trans
parts. Captain Hasbrouck writes he
]oes not desire to accept this medal
instructions have been given for the
fullest Investigation, with the view OF
further awards to other officers and
aen on these and any other ships who
rendered meritorious service by reason
a stack Of enemy ships. Late and in
compIete reports have necessarily de-
isyed full justice to all who deserved
recognition.
4We cannot give too much honor to
/ the commanding officers of surface
ships which were able to sink or de-
strey 4 submarine. 1t is clear that
when q ship is sunk the commanding
| officer should be rewarded if he meets
this supreme crisis with poise. fear
essness, with thought of his men
|ahoye himself. with the utilization of
ltll those attributes that show a man
e hero To deny this principle is to
deny one Of the bases of the moral
|hw."
Incorporated in the letter were the
records OF all of the officers who lost
their vessels, including Commander D.
". Bagley, brother Of Mrs. Daniels.
|sad Commander Percy w. Foote, the
|Seeretary's personal aid, about whom
|nuch Of the controversy has centered.
In Commander Bagley's case Mr..
Daniels quoted from a letter by Rear
Admiral Sims in connection with his
approval Of the findings of the court
vt inquiry convened to investigate the
loss Of Bagley's ship.
aBagley's handling of the situation
after his ship was torpedoed was
syerything that expected in the way
d efficiency, good judgment, courage
and chivalrous action" Admiral Sims
wrote.
The findings of the court of inouirv
sere that "the commanding officer.
officers and men of the United States
Steamship Jacob Jones bore themselves
IN accordance with the best traditions
Of the service"
Secretafy Daniels said Rear Admiral
slms recommended Commander Bagley
Ior Navy Cross, the Knight Board on
naval Awards approved the award. and
ihe Secretary changed it in common
NTH the awards of all other command
sg officers of torpedoed ships, except
.aptain Hasbrouck, to a DISTINGUISHED
Ssryice Medal.
. Reviewing the case of Commando
Foote, whose ship, the President Lin
ioin, was struck by three torpedoes
and sunk in thirty min.
s!es, the Secretary quoted Admiral
Sims's report as follows:
Inc small loss Of life is due to thor.
'agn discipline of the ships company
laa excellent seamanship of Com
mander Foote."
admiral Gleaves's report or the case
the letter said, contained the state
nent that sthe small loss of life wa.
que 70 the splendid discipline of the
salps company under the gallant lead
eahIp q Commander P. w. Foote."
Admiral Gleaves recommended Com
nander Foote for Distinguished Sery.
ea Aedal, toe letter said, and the rec.
"a y aaendation was approved by Admira
nayo fommander-in-c chief of the
U Saised States feet, and by the Knight