Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-04-08
DENIES navy WAS
l UNREADY FOR WAR
admiral Wilson Says Mistakes
Were Trifling Compared
to Achievements
ANSWERS CHARGES OF SIMS
by the Associated Press

f washington, April S.-N eSSclS on
the active list of the navy were never
better prepared for war than when the
United States joined the Allies. and
the Navy Department had "full and
complete" plans to combat n German
offensive against the coasts Of the
United States, Admiral III. r. Wilson
today told the Senate committee in
vestigating the Navy Department S
conduct of the war.
Replying TO criticisms in the letter
from Rear Admiral Sims to Secretary
Daniels that caused the investigation.
admiral Wilson asserted that from the
moment war was declared the entire
navy-the department as we'll ms the
heet-entered into the prosecution of
the war with the greatest energy, and
its accomplishments deserve the com
mendation of the nation"
Admiral Wilson, now commander. in.
chief of the Atlantic feet. commanded
the patrol force that first protected
waters adjacent to the United States
and later co-opcratcd in protecting al.
He'd conveys in the war zone.
Prompt in Co. operation
Within four days after this coun
Is CutcTeu Inc war, representatives
of the allied adm!ralitirs were in con
Terence with Secretary Daniels and
naval officers in Washington outlining
means by which the most effective as
sistance could be rendered by this coun
try, the witness said.
SO far as he knew. Admiral Wilson
SAID, every suggestion or proposition
put forward by the allied officials was
promptly agreed to ana efficiently car
ried out. The fact that the greater part
OF the American army was transported
over 5000 miles of water without life
being lost through efforts of the enemy
testihed 10 the success of this co opera
ion, the admiral asserted.
Mistakes the navy made during the
war were so relatively unimportant"
that they were hardly worth consider
ing in comparison with its achieve
ments, he said.
mo nation upon the approach OF
war has had force of battleships more
nearly prepared for battle than was
the force to which | was attached and
which spent the winter Of 1861 in
southern waters,' Admiral Wilson tes-
ifed.
Would Have Drubbed Foe
Asked by Chairman Hale what the
American feet could have done had the
German fleet broken through the Brit
ish line during the war, the admiral
said I'VE would have given it pretty
good drubbing,"
Couldn't YOU have prepared more
fully between 1914 and April, 1912"
asked Chairman Hale.
II don't think so. when you consider
the sentiment in the United States dur
ing that period" replied the admiral.
Chairman Hale said the committee
was ''only trying to learn the mistakes
the navy made to avoid them in the
future"
= 'It doesn't need any one to make n !
stir to bring the mistakes out" replied |
the witness. They are being studied !
by the brightest minds in the navy and
the lessons-wiii be well learned"
= ''The Congress of the United States |
has the right to investigate these |
things. and will do So" retorted Chair
man Hale.
II don't question that" replied the
officer. 1T is no pleasure for me to
be here, butt feel. it my duty. My
conscience is perfectly clear as to the
navy's performance in the war and
my part in it"