The Washington herald., 1920-01-19

preparatory orders were necessary
when hostilities broke out.
Concerning Admiral Sims charge
of laxity on the part of the navy in
supplying him with destroyers. Of
ficials yesterday referred to that por-
ton Of Secretary Daniels report.
which read:
War was declared on April 6. 1871.
On the 4th of May, a detachment Of
destroyers was in European waters.
By January l. 1918, there were 115
United States naval ships across and
in October 1918. the total had reached
SSs ships of all classes.
AT the present time December,
1879. there are 5000 officers and 1000
enlisted men OF the United States
navy serving in Europe. this total
being greater than the full strength
Of the navy when the United States
entered the war"
why BattIeshfps Refused.
With regard to Admiral Sims com-
plant that his request for battle
ships was disregarded. members of
the advisory board said they were
| unable to understand why such a re-
quest had been made. They declared
that the policy of the board. which
was well known to Admiral Sims.
was, that as the British nay was
| not employing battleships, but keep
ing all of its capital ships protected
from submarines by stationing them
in home ports, 10 follow similar
precautionary lines. They also as
serted that at the time Admiral Sims
was demanding battleships. the Ger
, man high feet was already bottled
up in home ports.
So far as Admiral Sims criticisms of
the navy toward submarine warfare
are concerned. members Of the advis-
DRY board declare that none OF them is
well founded. They referred to the
| fact that Senator Lodge himself, on
June s. 1918. after the submarine at
| tack OF the New England coast. went
to the Navy Department. inquired as
to what was being done. and later
s''' ~ speech;
I THE navy and Navy Department
have taken every precaution that
human foresight could suggest, so far
as l am able to judge and I have ex-
amined their preparations with such
intelligence and care as l could give
the matter. Mr.. President. the navy
and the Navy Department have neces-
sarily anticipated a submarine attack
from the very beginning of the war
They have had it constantly in their
minds. They have tried to make every
preparation to meet it. l think they
have"
Similar statements were voiced by
Democratic leaders in the House
Refer to Sims Report.
One of the big points made by MEM
bers Of the advisory council was that
IL the Senate wanted a fair investiga-
ton 1t should not overlook extracts
from the report OF Admiral Sims on
the question OF naval cooperation
abroad. This report appeared on De-
cember l, 1918. and was included in
the annual report Of the Secretary of
the Navy.
In these extracts are found letters.
messages, kilograms and cablegrams
from British, French, and Italian
naval commanders and from General
Pershing all to the effect that the
American navy cooperated cordially
and effectively with the allied nayies
One Of the rear admirals, who Is a
member OF the board, said that one
OF the first orders issued after Ad-
miral Sims went abroad was that
every effort should be made to give
him every possible naval and financial
assistance. For instance, Rear Ad-
miral Samuel MCGOWAN, chief pay
master OF the navy and head of the
bureau Of supplies and accounts, made
the orders of Sims always first on the
list. regardless OF anything else.
II was also stated that as Admiral
Sims favored torpedo destroyers, all
other construction in the navy was
halted SO work might be concentrates
on destroyers and a constant stream
or these vessels was sent to him.
Furthermore. Il was declared that
there was. scarcely any justice in The
complaint that Admiral Sims did not
get sufficient STAN officers.
Seek Source Of Leak.
Secretary. Daniels, when seen ct his
home yesterday afternoon, would not
discuss Sims charges in any. way.
He simply reiterated his willingness
TO go before the Senate Committee
and answer all questions. Admiral
sims letter. containing the charge s,
mas already been referred 10 the Cen
eral Naval Board. and it is believed
that body will meet soon. by order of
the Secretary, to consider the conn
munication and, its contents.
The board, It was said yesterday,
may attempt to learn the manner in
which the fact that Admiral Sims had
sent a second letter to the Secretary
was divulged. II was said to be ex-
traordinary that letter OF this ma
ture. containing secrets of interna-
'tional magnitude. should be given pub
licity.
Thieves Smash Showcase.