New-York tribune., 1920-01-18

ex-offico members by reason Of their
present naval assignments.
Asked If the verbal instructions
given Admiral Sims before his de-
parture from London in March 1917,
came from him, Secretary Daniels
replied:
II stand on my brief statement
given you"
Awaits Chance to Testify
When the Secretary was informed
that Admiral Sims, upon his return
to this country after his service in Eu
ropean waters, had issued statement
which disclosed details of his appoint
ment as overseas commander and in
structions issued him by the Navy
Gepa5tment; De par Sa ia Secretary Daniels de-
quotations from Sims on his return.
He stated, however, that in his last
annual report he devoted some at
tention to the selection Of Admiral
Sims.
Secretary Daniels made it plain that
he desired to ignore Admiral Sims's
charges until given an opportunity to
testify before the Senate committee.
He remarked that Senator Pttman
sought authority from the committee
to hear him in advance of other wit
nesses, but that the committee elected
to hear Admiral Sims. He expressed
give him ample opportunity to submit
official naval records with reference to
the overseas activities.
Asked if Admiral Sims had called at
the Navy Department since his arrival
in Washington, Mr.. Daniels said he had
not seen him.
During the afternoon Admiral Sims
was at the department and held long
conference with Assistant Secretary of
the Navy Roosevelt and renewed ac-
quaintance with other officials in the
service.
In his annual report for 1918 Secre-
tary Daniels devoted a page to lauda-
tory comment on the appointment Of
Admiral Sims and the work performed
by the overseas forces.
Praise for United States Navy
After commencing Admiral Sims as
"one of the. most intellectual, gifted
and distinguished officers of the navy"
the report said:
ut is too early yet to give proper
place to the high character of the work
done by ViceAdmiral Sims and the
other naval officers abroad, but all the
world knows of the enthusiasm and
"nc 0Dlilty anu SplTlC OF cooperation
which have enabled them to win place
TOR the navy abroad higher than ever
before accorded it. More than that,
our naval representation has not only
won the respect and confidence Of |
trained naval leaders of all nations
but also has won the popular regard |
and admiration of the people, who have
found the officers and mon alert up-
standing, clear-headed, clean in life |
and thought. full of readiness to do
and die for their country and the cause
of liberty"
The naval orders made public to-day
calling for recommendation for the
oetterment Of the service, said in part
while the events of the war are /
fresh in the minds Of all, it is consid- /
sIed essential to collect and record all .
suggestions and recommendations for
the methods used by the |.
iayy in the prosecution Of operations
ind in the supply of men and material
All persons in the naval service. or
employed by the Navy Department..
Who consider that they have sufficient
lrst-hand information to make sugres-
ions OF value are requested to submit
before April /, 1920, a statement. in
duplicate. to the Secretary of the NAVY.
describing briefly any method or prac-
ice which is considered subject to i'm
'rovement and giving a concise rec
for the remedy of this
condition." |''''