Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-15
DANIELS CHARGES
SIMS BEL|TTLED
DESTROYER WORK
Declares Admiral Failed to
Protect Interests Of
Own Country.
SAYS BRITISH REPORTS
CHEATED U. S. OF CREDIT
ESQ Attacks by Americans on
U-Boats Melted but "a
Official Victories.
REFUTED HIS OWN CHARGES
Jcllicoc's Book Shows Mistake OF
Commander in Alleging
lncillcicncy.
REFuTED HIS OWN CHARGES
Jcllicoc's Book Shows Mistake of
Commander in Alleging
lncillciency.
.LBy Associated press.1

WASHINGTON. May I4.-Rear-Ad-
miral sims robbed American destroy
er crews OF credit due them by leav-
ing the investigation of combats with
submarines to the British Admiralty.
Secretary Daniels today told the
Senate naval investigating commit
tee. Had he known that American
officers were not reviewing the cir
cumstances of Battles between Amer
lean vessels and U-boats. he would
have peremptorily ordered The adj
miral to adopt that course, the sccre-6
tary said.
Admiralty reports and awards OF
credit TO the Americans were accept
cd by Admiral Sims. AR. Daniels said,
although the British demanded ab-g
solutely conclusive proof before Civ
ing credit for the sinking OF sub
marine in the case of an American
vessel. while using less rigorous
standard in the case of British ships.s
L. $. Got Credit for Only 20 Subs.
Out OF 256 attacks on submarines
by American vessels, the British gave
the United States forces credit for.
only twenty-four successful attacks
most OF which were listed as pos
sibly slightly damaged" said Secrc-
tary Daniels. In only one case was
full credit for the sinking otAaS
U-hoat given an American ship. lie
said. this being the destroyer Fam
ming. which sunk the, U-5S and cap
turcd tho crew.
lin explaining why so few credits
were given for known sinkings, the
summary compiled by Admiral Sing
states that unless prisoners or un:
mist takablc wreckase o iweres obtained,
following an. attack It was practical.: ::
~ impossible 10 definitely determine
tho results" said Mr.. Daniels. That
prisoners or wreckage were not nh
solutely required before vessel was
credited with sinking n submarineis
shown by tho reports from tho Brit
ish Admiralty records OF cases class
cd as known sunk" Jks
British Vesscls Got or Easier.
The secretary then read records Of.
encounters between British ships and
submarines. in which credit was
given for sinking the submersible.
although neither prisoners nor
wreckage were obtained.
Il do not blame the British" said
Mr.. Daniels. They were looking out
for themselves, properly, but I do
blame Admiral Sims for not protect2
ing American interests. The United
States Navy is not accustomed to
having others decide what credits
shall be awarded to Its men and ves-
sells, and 1 know OF no instance In
which any other navy has allowed
this" .,-s.
Admiral Sims own reports refuted
tho charge made in his letter of jan
uary that destroyers were rushed
through brief and inadequate pre-
.pnratton before being sent abroad."1
the secretary said. He read extracts
from ADMIRAL Sims reports as fol-
lows:
Our ships made no demands of
consequence upon the navy ward
iac'iities after arriving, in spite OF
the length OF their passage under
adverse conditions"
contrary to expectations. they
were found to be well equipped for
their prospective duty, with tho ex-
ception OF depth charges"
The equipment and construction
OF our ships has, proved adequate
and efficient"
Ieilicoe shows Up Sims Statement.
Turning to- Admiral Sims criti-
Tor war in April. 1917, Mr. Daniels
said that Admiral Jellicoe's book on
the battle of Jutland showed that
not even the British navy, expect
inS every minute a decisive battfe
could he kept 100 per cent perfect.
lie quoted at length from the Jellicoe
oook, 10 show that the British fleet
had deficiencies and weaknesses that
Ilrst
that the Germans were actually SUI
perior in DESTROYER strength. The
American navy was not perfect. hes
SAID but avoided many costly mis-
takes by taking to heart the ex.
perience OF other allies.
Proof OF the Navy Departmen,:s
efforts TO prepare for war were con-
tained In the recommendations for,
appropriations from 1913 to 1917 and
the organization in 1915 OF the
as a. Edison at its head. Mr.. Daniels,
declared.
Charge Definite and Serious.
The charge Of the prolongation
o: the war was a definite and Sc
rious one." said the secretary. "Jt
was made with reckless disregard OF
the facts. and tho reasoning and
statistics adduced in It's support ara
those which one might eapact 10,
find In the fantastic tales OF Baron
Munchausen."
Admiral Sims estimated an un-
necessary loss of 5000 lives on an
average loss Of the allies osi3,0oo men g
q day, said Mr.. Daniels.
The loss OF 5000 mon day for
tour months falls far short OF halfs