Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-08
SIMS STORY FALSE,
ADMIRAL WILSON
INFORMS PROBERS
Navy Was Thoroughly Prepared
When u. S. Entered War,
He Says.
WON PRAISE OF ALLIES

By Associated Press TO Every Evening
Washington, April S.-The vessels on
the active list of the navy were never
better prppared for war than when the
Tn;ted States ioined the Allies, and the
Navy Department had full and COM
nlcte" plans to combat a German otien-
sive against the coasts OF the United
States. ADMIRAL II. Il. Wilson today
told the Senate committee investigating
the Navy Department conduct Oh
the world war.
Replying to criticisms In the iet'er
from Rear Admiral Sims TO Secretary
Daniels that caused the investigation,
Admiral Wilson asserted that IRON the
uoment war was declared the entire
navy-thc department as we'll as the
nctc-entcrcd into the prosecution OF
the war with the greatest energy ana IT'S
ACCOMPLISHMENTS deserve the commenda-
ton of the nation.
Admiral Wilson, now commander-ln-
chicf Of the Atlantic fleet, commanded
the patrol for that FIRST protected waters
adjacent to the United States ana later,
based on Brcst France, cO-operated IN
protecting allied conveys IN the war zone
and hunting I-boats.
Within four days after tins country
entered the war representatives OF the
allied admiraltieS were IN conference
with Secretary Daniels and naval oihcers
IN Washington outlining the means by
which the most effective assistance could
he rendered by this country, the witness
declared so far rs he knew, Admiral
Wilson said. every suggestion or PROPOSE
non nut forward by the allied officials
was promptly agreed 10 and efficiently
carried ont. The fact that the greater
mart oi the American army was trans
nortcd over 5000 miles of water without
4 lie being lost through efforts OF the
enemy testified to the success OF tins CO.
opcration. the admiral asserted.
Our naval forces from the start CO.
oncroted IN most successful manner
with the naval forces Of our associates IN
many portions Cf the seas, ADMIRAL VIII
son declared. by their splendl d and
efficient work they materially aided IN
shortening the war and IN this manner
saving untold life and property
Mistakes the navy made during the
war were 50 relatively unlmportant
that they we're hardly worth considering
IN COMPARISON with It's achievements, the
witness said
.No nation upon the approach OF war
has had 4 force Of hatticshiTs more nearly
prcparcd for battle than nwas the force to
which | was attached and which spent
the winter of l9l6-l7 in southern
waters Admiral Wilson testified. II feel
surr that II this force had engaged an
enemy on its cruise north IN the spring
az 1917. the victory would have been
ours
Morale in the service was high at that
time. the officer said, and the active fleet
prepared for any emergency
referring to ADMIRAL Sims charge that
an insufficient number of small vessels
was sent abroad during the first few
months Of American participation IN the
war. Admiral Wilson declared that AT a
conference between Secretary Daniels and
allied admiralty representatives about
Ap.il 10. 1917, the foreign officials did not
"cXprcSs anv dire need for help or great
urgency fcr II. They suggested. he said.
that the nited States take over the work
of patrollng the waters adjacent 70 tins
country. and one rcprcSc cDtatIvc suggested
that the United States send one DESTROYER
abroad in order that the flag may he
shown 10 let il he known that the United
States navy has actually joined the naval
forces ol the allies.
Il fully believe that both representa-
tives those of France and Great Bntaln)
felt that they had successfully accom-
plished their mission; that they were more
than pleased with their reception by the
secretary Of the navy and were especially
impressed with the hearty manner IN
which the responsible officers OF the navy
deDartment had shown their desire 10
cooperate and thus further the cause
against the common enemy, declared
Admiral Wilson.
The admiral read a long statement he
prepared in August, 1918, for members OF
L. Hoe, Nat-al ('or1untfrpp then IN
France to show the degree of American
cooperation with the allies at that
time and its success.