Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-12
FOUGHT ADOPTION
FOR SIX MONTHS
Forced Through by Admiral
Mayo, Sims Awarded
Laurels to British.
CREDIT IS DUE AMERICA
dea Wiped Out Under-Sea
Menace and Paved the
Way to Victory.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch. ]

Especial to The Times-Dispatch1
WASHINGTON, May lin his
testimony before the Senate Naval
investigating committee today, Sec
rotary Josephus Daniels first estab-
lished by documentary evidence and
by quotations from presidential
speeches and messages to Congress
that Woodrow Wilson, who. accord
ing 20 William J. Bryan. Is "broken
down as n result OF his tremendous
work during the war. was the first
real apostle OF preparedness for the
United States Navy and that It was
almost entirely due to his contin-
nous advocacy OF adequate appropria-
tions that our navy entered tho struE-
gle as powerful and worthy ally of
Gritain's armada ss
Wilson Sponsors Preparedness.
MIR. Daniels also made plain by Of
'icial proofs and quotations from tho
Presidents magnificent speech to the
officers OF the Atlantic Fleet ON the
flagship Pennsylvania. during the
summer OF 1917. that Mr.. Wilson. at
tackled then as the father Of the
walt and see" policy, was really In
spring the army and navy to extra
r,
that. as result OF this inspiration
and his trumpet call to the navy to
cut out prudence" and do the unex-
pec'ed. the North Sea mine barrage
was thought out by American brains
ana the mines were manufactured
ana shipped overseas by American.
Drawn.
When the British Admiralty finally
adopted the barrage, Air.: Daniels de 5
c)arcd. it enabled us ITO send Per-.
shing's great army across the ocean
In safety. wiped out the submarine
as menace and. therefore. con-
tributed materially to the winning OF
the great war. ..
Having thus placed the President
right before the American people,
the secretary, renewing his answer
to Sims charge that Amcricn's un-
preparedness delayed the wars en,,c.
ing and cost 100000 lives. cut loov.
another broadside at the admiral,
whom he accused OF not only fighting
gainst this ''barrage OF victory"
but AS continuing to oppose it's adop-
tion, despite the favorable attitude
of Lloyd George, Sir Eric Geddes and
other eminent Britons.
Award Crt-lit to British.
Then. as n final shot. Secretary
Daniels proceeded to demonstrates
that when this mine barrage was
laid. ending forever the undersea
pirate rule OF Germany, Admiral
Sims awarded the credit of invent
ing 1t to the British Admiralty, thus
according TO Mr.. Daniels, robbing his
comrades of the American service
twho thought out the plan and fought
behind the President until Britain
adopted it, of the honor that was
their just due.
The establishment of this barrage.
the secretary told the committee
was delayed six months because OF
Sims opposition. The barrage, Mr..
Daniels added. was the most effec-
tive measure taken to check the sub
marines and was wholly an Ameri-
can idea.
The plan was conceived" he said,
in the bureau OF ordnance at tha
Navy department and urged on the
British Admiralty for six months
before 1t was accepted.
During this time Admiral Sims
constantly discouraged and opposed
the idea. he added. and when Ad-
miral Mayo was sent abroad and
finally convinced the Admiralty OF
the worth OF the scheme and the
necessity for adopting it. Admiral
Sims attempted to convey the i'm
preston that the project had been
delayed while the British attempted
to get the American Navy Depart.
mcnts approval.
Originated by U. s. Navy.
admiral Sims attempted to rob
America and the United States Navy
of the credit for Initiating this great
achievement and to give you tho
Impression that 1t was British plan
which our navy merely assisted in.
carrying out. though 1t originated In
the Navy Department.. was proposed
and urged by us for half n year be-
fore we could induce the British Ad.
miralty 10 approve It, and although
four r-hfths OF II was composer OF
American mines designed and con-
structed in America and transported
3.iO0 miles overseas and laid by
American vessels" Mr.. Danicis, told
the committee.
The secretary said close comrade-2
ship had existed between the Amer
lean and British navies during tho
war. despite Admiral Sims attempts
to create the impression that there
was lack OF harmony and co-opera- =
tion. s'
Sims charges OF unpreparedness
before the war were not JUSTIFIED.
Secretary Daniels insisted. declaring
that In July, 1915. he ordered the
general board to study and recom-
mend plans for "eonsictent and