Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-01-17
SIMS SAYSlT
] TOOK l0MONlH|S
!. . .....FO:NlAKEPLAlgS
Says This Time Elapsed Be.
fore U. S. Navy Aided
the Allies.

/ Washington, Jan. 17.-Rear Adj
miral Sims told the senate committee
investigating naval awards today that
when he was ordered to England: in
March. 1917, just before the United
States entered the war, he was in
structed by the navy department
mot to let the British pull the wool
over your eyes," and that I'VE would
just as soon fight the British. as the
central powers" '" 4@f:. Ess
Tho admiral also charged that
American naval headquarters In Lon
don did not receive cooperation from
the navy department and that the de-
partment did not arrive at any de-
cided plan of action until ten months
after he arrived in London. He added
that 1T was ten months before we
really came to the aid'=of the allies
OF acted on their recommendations" !"
: s.4.. NE 7. Sent Letter to Daniels.
! Admiral Sims testimony was in tho
form Of q letter to Secretary Daniels,
entitled "some naval lessons Of the
great war;" which Mr.. Daniels ;receiv-
ed several days ago. The letter criti-
cized the department for attempting
to administer the details of action by
the American naval forces overseas
and alleged that the department de-
hAASsAASAOA SS4AeS ~ OO AAAeSO<A ~ pSks1sJ
fully on all plans, even those regard
ing action against the enemy.
]. When Admiral Sims finished read
ing the. letter. Chs atrr1at Hale san-
sss assass aRea sishss 3 tssso~sr ssia
this present sub-coimmittee ;to investi-
Eatas sAdmira Sims charges Of lack Of
or to appoint separate
subcommittee to conduct the inquiry.
- Rear, Sims told the senate
committee that he hadtrecomm ended
for decorations five times as many Of
served at sea during the
war as he had officers who served on
shore He made this explanation, he
'satd,D correct an impression appar-
:entlyWidely held that he favored the
;shore.duty more generally than those
who served at sea *. y. -, Ss,'3, ~
/, .a: aa,, - Wrote. to, Bagley.
y Thssadmiral also read, a letter: he
wrote to Commander D.. w. Bagley,
expressing great regret that secre-
tary Daniels should have been SO
badly advised in this matter Of
awarding q distinguished service
medal to Commander Bagley"
I am very sorry that you should
be placed in such an unfavorable
light after your fine destroyer service
In the war zone" the letter said,
and feel sure that ii you had been
consulted in.tthe matter you would
have taken steps to avoid this
Admiral Sims letter said that al
though he asked repeatedly that Off
GERS Be sent to London to assist him,
the department did not send any Of
ficers until four months after the
United States entered the war. Dur
ing that time only one officer was as
sisting him, he said, adding that tho
department said no other officers
were available for this duty.
When General Pershfng arrived IN
France" he said, "he was accompan-
led by a nucleus staff Of more than 50
officers. The term not available
tivities OF vastly less Importance than
the command Of naval forces in the
war, xone...,,
The letter said Rear Admiral BEN
son. former chief OF naval operations,
.cabled Admiral Sims that there was
much discussion in tho United States
regarding his complaints about not
receiving aid. from the navy depart
ment and advising him to-send .
strong statement" Of the situation.
Although war with Germany had
AAAAAAAAASAAI AOI IIhI1y ts
there was no policy formulated In ad-
vance so far as the commander in
:European waters was informed, Ad-
miral Sims letter said. ''and no policy
was announced until three months
after war was declared" ;s5
I Referring to the statement that no
enlisted men were recommended by
him fer medals, Admiral Sims. read
cable9rams sent to Admiral Knapp in
London last July urging that the
.comptlAtion of lists OF men to be re-
wArded be expedited. f3S$ s, 4
+ Needed Dessroyers.
Discussing submarine. warfare IN
general, Admiral Sims said IL the
United States had had 800 ;destroyera
whom ut. entered the war It never
would have to had to fear the subYns-
rine campaign. The admiral charac-
teri1eds the 110' submarine chasers q
sas.tNtsconceptton, :. but raid they VEN
hot entirely useless. s9' S -
q Turning the inquiry back 10 the
question Qf naval award. Senator
PittmAn declared that Admiral Stms
represented . minority OF the Officers
of the navy and that the members OF
the knight board Represented the
majority. Admiral Sims esatd that
while he was the minority, the ofti-
GERS on, tho Knight board were NOT In
sAsp0Gition osjud9e fairly on thesFeIA.
tive merits OF tho sofIicor1 recon.
gasade4 for distincti Ion. & y; I;
: y