Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-17
HIS STAFF TOO SMALL,
SIMS TELLS PRObERS
Admiral Tcstihcs Daniels Would
Not Supply Him With Enough
Capable Aids.
nv Ar-cria tod prcs. TO Every Evening

by AssoCfat tod Press to Every Evrping
Washington, March 17--Nearing the
end of his long statement 20 the Senate
Investigating committee, Rear Admiral
Sims today elaborated his charges that
the inadequacy OF his staff abroad pre-
vented, for several months, msumun
efficiency in the United States naval par
ticipation in the war. He testified that
he WAS unable to bring the Navy Depart
ment to a realization Of the importance
of his post and the necessity for providing
large staff at the outset 10 compile and
digest allied naval information and direct
the early details Of American cooperation
on the seas.
Admiral Sims said he arrived in London
in April, 1917, with but one aide and i'm
mediately realizing the magnitude d the
task confronting him, cabled the depart
ment requesting that three additional AS
sruants he sent him at once. Before he
received any reply, he was placed Also IN
command Of the DESTROYER force abroad
and thercupon asked for three more of
foers including chief of staff expecting
that the request would be granted without
question.
The last of April one officer arrived and
wns axsirned To the DESTROYER base at
Queenstown, Admiral Sims said, but no
word came from the department regard
ing his reiterated requests for at leaet s,I
Assistants Throughout June he remained
IN ignorance Of the departments plans
and received no further aid, the officer
SAID An American civilian who had re-
signed from the navy IN 1914 Co enter in
business in London volunteered To ass,st
him, tho admiral said, and tins man with
his one aide comprised his entire London
staff
MY staff then was wholly inadequate
even to code and dccodc the mefsapns to-
and from the department, he commented,
much less attempt tn compile vitnlly
necessary information"
In June medical officer WAS ordered To
his staff the admiral said, and about the
same time Secretary Daniels cablcd hum
authority To employ clerical assistance
and spend any sums needed for the dis
charge of his duties, but nothing WAS done
regarding the officers he had asked sent To
assist him In his technical duties
In rpcsted messages, Admiral Sims
said he urgently recommended that spe-
cial officer BE- detailed to the British ad-
miralty to coordinate convoy plans but
never received an answer. Finally he
detached the captain from a DESTROYER and
assigned him to this duty.
We had reached the limit OF physical
endurance" Admiral Sims said. I'VE
were established in two small rooms at
the embassy and dispatches were pouring
in on us every day. ] only wish that
were capable of describing the conditions
In my office at this time"
Captain n. &. Twining was detailed to
be hrs chic, Of staff, the admiral said. Con
tinual differences with the department
were demonstrating the Deed of closer
liaison between his Office and Washington,
the admiral SAID, due to his inability to
send and reply to letters and cahlegrsfns.
Throughout July he continually warn
ed the department that troop conveys
were being endangered bv lack OF nroper
assistance abroad, the admiral sid, and
protested against the department IN
cliuation to send him young and 10
experienc III officers and kecp the older
ones IN home waters.