The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-01-29
SENATE IS URGED
TO REBUKE SIMS
Resolution Hits the Admiral Tor
Breach OF Confidence.
LODGE BUSHES II DE7EY
Senator Borah Of idaho Arpro
Warning Given to Commander
Says Senate Is MAX nc houn.
tain out OF Mole Hill.

washington diii. --.--N lt'~'NN''
declaring that the action of X ar \
mlral Sins In making pubic "oiiir
Instructions OF the most roniidtn,
character" affecting mncuntional
lations deserved the coi,dtmna'hrn g.
all Americans. was Introduced IN o.
senate by senator Walsh DenLj VI
ana, member OF the naval comm
tee.
Senator Wnlsh's request for nm"'
ate consideration was denied on -
lection by senator Lodge.
The resolution quoted from The lc!
ter read 10y Admiral Sims last Suiu'
day before the senate connniitrc 70
vestigr ing naval decorations, IN whl'
the admiral said that before he lc.
The United States for Europe "
Mnrrh 1917. he was told by hic'
naval official not to "let the British
pun the wool over your eyes; Z l.
rome of our business Hing ihcl
chesfnufs out of the fire: we wonl'
ms soon figlr the British MS the Ger
mans"
Declares Disclosure Reprenensibie.
ADMIRAL Sims must have and did
consider these Instructions, II they
ever were given. to he Of he most
hirhiy confidential character" the rec
olution said adding that his aglon IN
making them public deserved unINer
sal ami unqualified disapproval.
II c,Hn0t hut believe that whether
the admonitiGn twas or was not given
To Admiral Sims. the disclosure under
almost any circumstances must re-
reivp the disapproval OF every Ameri.
can" said Senator Walsh.
Sonntnr NJ, Cornick ,Rep). Hin
declared the resolution affected 4 mat
~ that was 70 he later investigated
y = subcommittee and Senator Lodge
hlc,irl 20 consideration Of the res"
urinn he ground that II contained
rive 'iarges against one Of the most
rnn,lneni officers If The American
'avy. without giving him an oppor
unity ~ defend himself.
6oran Approves Warning.
Replying tu an inquiry by Senator
i;"rah Rep). Idaho. whether Admiral
S.nis volunteered his letter. Chairman
Halle NJ the decorations subcommittee
said:
The admiral produced II because
nSis',d. ! am entirely willing 10 TAX.
AZ responsibility.
Declaring that Admiral Sims could
nJt nbiect II the committee ordered the
letters production. Senator. Borah
SnId he thought the senate .as max
ng mountain out of a mole hill In
his entire affair"
The warning given to Admiral Sims
against letting the British pull the
DOL" over hl eyes was approved by
Senator Borah. who said the official
giving II should be commended.
81 don't see anything to censure
either Secretary Daniels or the admir-
a." said Mr.. Borah. ut was a very
proper admonition. and ] regret thht
he secretary has denied it."
senator Walsh said the whole ques-
ton was over disclosure Of confiden-
linl orders by the admiral. md Sena-
or Thomas tDem.). Colorado. said II
,ermed 10 him THAI there was gross
violation of somebody's confidence"
Senator Phelnn (Dem.). California.
inquired whether the committees In.
vestigatlon proposed 10 consider cen
sure Of Admiral Sims II he acted Inn
properly. and Senator Hale replied
that the whole field would be covered.
including general investigation Of the
onduct Of the war In connection with
naval matters.
General Barnett Opposes Sims.
Before the subcommittee ,nvestigat-
ng the award Of naval decorations.
Major General Barnett. comhandant
of the marine corps. took issu, with
previous statements by Admiral sims
TO the committee that the controversy
had arisen because Secretary Daniels
had not promulgated well-defined
policy to govern awards.
There was mo need for a policy
promulgated by the secretary regard
ing medal awards" he explained. be
cause the law authorizing the decora.
lions was sufficiently explicit &c guide
commanding officers In submitting
their recommendations.
His own recommendation as 10 ma.
rine officers who served In the United
States were not followed In the ma
jorlty of cases. General Barnett as
serted. and he had expressed regret TO
Mr.. Daniels. who told him that the