South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-20
PROBE STATEMENT
MADE At SENATE
COMMITTEE MEET
Gen. Wood Must Also Explain
What He Meant by Float
ing Death Traps.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE oNEJ
seamen 20 entrap innocent men. and
that as the result OF the practices"
resorted 10 "the morale Of the navy
depar, neu- IS being rapidly de-
stroyed~ lie added that the en-
tire blame for this situation stands
at the door OF Mr.. Daniels and no
where else" and that we have am
pie evidence ia proof of these as
sertiOns"
secy Daniels declined To- com
ment or Mr.. Rathom's charges. de-
claring that he did not desire 90
make q statement until ne was more
familiar with the allegations.
Board Has Authority.
Assistant Sec'y Roosevelt VINO
was said by Mr. Daniels 10 be more
familiar with the matter. asserted
that the special board OF inquiry
appointed by the Judge advocate
general Of the navy two weeks ago
had full authority 20 investigate the
methods employed by naval intelli-
gence officers In securing evidence
from persons under suspicions of
moral delinquency and % inquire
into all judicial procedure of the
navy at Newport
While charges OF improper meth
OILS OF obtaining evidence I'm such
cases nave been i'm the hands of the
navy department for two months.
Air. Roosevelt said. the department
had withheld action upon them un-
III the cases of several civilians
brought TO trail upon evidence furn-
ished BY the navy. including the
Rev Samuel Neal Kent. Of New
port. were disposed of in the fed
eraI courts The board of inquiry.
the assistant secretary said. will pro
ceed at once with its investigation
with full power 10 subpoena wit
nesses and get at all the facts.
Sec'y Daniels also declined to dis
cuss the assertions attributed to
Cen. Wood. saying that if any one
wished 20 put him on oath and let
him tell what he knows about rho
navy. ne might be called before
the committee. and he can explain
his expert knowledge
Denies Charges.
Entering a general denial OF the
Sims charges against the navy de-
partment the naval secretary de-
clared that "the matter has gone so
TAR that unless at the senate in
vestigstion the charges are proven
TO the entire satisfaction of the Am
erican people, an inquiry viii be
i.ade by a naval board
The secretary emphasized that
Admiral Sims was not commander
in-chief Of the American naval
forces overseas and that throughout
the war ne was subordinate 10 Ad-
miral Mayo as commander OF the
Atlantic fleet. and 10 Admiral Ben
son. chief OF naval operations. He
said Admiral Sims duty was 20
make recommendations to the de-
partment and then 20 obey the or
ders issued after those recommen-
dations were considered.
Mr.. Daniels indicated that there
were frequent clashes between the
department and Admiral Sims be.
cause destroyers were not Withdrawn
from conveying troop ships and as
signed 10 duty IN the submarine
zone and added that IL was the par
amount duty of the navy TO protect
American soldiers going overs cas-
Declaring that when am the facts
were laid bare the country would
be proud OF the navy's record i'm the
war. MIR Daniels said. Admiral
sims must be required TO establish
every criticism ne has made OF the
department"
when the smoke blows away,
Che secretary continued. "1 am con-
fideut that the people will see that
The naval administration has been
efficient"
Asked whether he contemplated
reprimauding Admiral Sims for crit
icisms that might ne proven base
less. AR Daniels said.
Ell nave never employed the old
time military methods OF dealing
with critical naval officers Perhaps
Z am wrong. perhaps ] ann right
Bat 7 have enduring faith that in
the end the great bulk OF the Ann
erican people always arrive az a just
conclusion in controversies of this
kind"
During the war. the secretary re-
called. Sens Lodge and Swanson.
as members OF the senate naval af-
fairs committee. were invited 10y him
10 make a thorough study of the dis
tributiou of forces by his department
and I'm speeches ON the senate floor
they expressed their conviction be
said. that the department was do
ing everything 30 could do with the
forces available" They assured tho
Sountry In those speeches. the scCre-
tarv said chat am was well with
The navy"
APPROPRIATION BILL