The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-05-10
SIMS DID NOT
MEASURE UP TO
EXPECTATIONS
'sHe Coveted British Deco
rations and Seemed to
Place a Higher Value on
the Honors Given Abroad
Than Those That Could
Be Conferred by United
States Government.

Washington, ID. G., May l0.-Secre.
tary Daniels before the Senate inves'
tigating committee to-day made his
long awaited reply to the criticisms OF
Rear Admiral Sims on the nayy's part
in the war.
He charged that Sims lacked vision
beittled the work of the American
navy in contrast to the British, Gov
eted British decorations, and asplred
to become an honorary member of the
British admiralty. He declared that
officers supporting the Sims charges
We're largely people with grievance.
Testimony of other officers, in pos
session Of first hand knowledge, Secre-
tary Daniels testified should be ae-
cepted by all open minded men as an
absolute refutation of practically all
of Admiral Sims charges"
Sims. the secretary said. did not
measure up to expectations in various
ways, of which he mentioned six, as
follows:
"He lacked vision to see that great
and new project TO bar the snbma Z
rines from their hunting grounds should
be promptly adopted and carried out.
no matter what the cost or how radical
the departure from what ultra prudent
men regarded as impractical.
"He seemed to accept the views of
the British admiralty as superior to
anything that would come from Amer
lea and urged those views even when
the navy department proposed plans
that proved more effective.
In public speeches and other ways,
he gave maximum of credit TO Brit
ish efforts and ninimized what his
country was doing.
"He coveted British decorations and
seemed to place a higher value on hon
ors given abroad than on honors that
could be conferred by the United States
government.
He aspired to become a member of
The British admiralty and wrote com
plainingly when the American govern
ment declined to permit him to accept
such tender by the king of England.
HE placed protection of merchant
shipping as the main operation of our
forces abroad. failing to appreciate
that the protection of transports carry
ing troops TO France was the para /
mount naval duty, until felt impelled
20 cable him peremptorily that such
was our main mission.
Secretary Daniels testified that had
lie known in October. 1918, that Sims
had made statements rejecting upon
the contributions of the United States
army and navy to winning the war To
members of Congress visiting abroad,
he would never have recommended his
promotion.
"He had not then attacked the Irish
people. Secretary Daniels testified. Il
though then he had only defended
American sailors. proper thing 10 do.
when attacked uniustly by what he
termed lawless element in Cork. II
had known that he proposed. under
the permission granted him TO tell the
story of what the navy had done over
seas. to denounco the Irish people a.
he did IN his articles in The Worlds
Work. the permission would not have
been granted.
Secretary Daniels said he had never
publicly or privately criticized Admiral
Sims for lack Of early vision in con
rection whit the North sea mine hsr-
rage project. eor his other mistakes or
Wrong views Admiral Mayo succeed
"a in convincing the British admiralty
az the soundness Of the barrsge scheme
where Admiral Sims failed, he said.
Although the department had die
approved Of some of his recommenda
lions and denied some Of his desire.
ssid Secretary Daniels. Il mistakenly
supposed until the letter Of Jan. : that
~ had accepted and scquiesced, with
more " les grace. IN the department :
disposition uf ships and its other on
raj actions. as loyal officer accepts
the decisions Of his superior. even
though be might personally hold other
views
sAbortivc Attempt 20 Ferret Out Nole-
hills Of Mistakes.T
The investigating committee, Sccre-
tsrv Daniels said had been uearied
md the public nau@eatcd wIih an
sbortixe attempt to ferret out IN
rnolrhiils of mi-fakrs and eNaEreratc
fhetn into mouutaims to make nuhlr
tuI uetatle accomplishment apT'ear as
- dim and fading hackeround oi
freutisrls~e af reFnFaFatiYtl2 uniusIs1
isuf errars rf iuigusent
The nsFys reoord IN the ssr stands