The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-03-18
SIMS DELIVERS
LAST BROADSIDE
In 13 Specific Counts,
Charging Mistakes and
Costly Delays
NAVY UNPREPARED
THO WARNED 3 YEARS
Admiral Sims Concluded
His Evidence Before the
Senate Committee

l dsHlfiglui, ~. 1,J hdTcH iS.--Aou-
cluding his long arraignment of the
navy departments conduct of the war,
Rear Admiral Sims laid before the
Senate investigating committee to-day
IL specific counts in his indictment
charging mistakes and costly delays,
The admiral's summary of his
charges
That in spite of the fact that war
had been going on for nearly three
years, and our entry into it had been
imminent at least from Feb. 2, 1917
the vessels of the navy were not ready
for war service when the United States
entered
THAT the first few months after
America entered the war were extreme
ly critical ones for the whole allied
cause. due to the success of enemy
submarines.
"That this critical situation was
made clear TO the navy department a
few days after America entered the
war, and repeatedly thereafter by ca
bles and letters, supported by inde-
pendent advices to the government
from the American ambassador in Lon.
don and by Mr.. Hoover.
THAT the navy department supplied
me with no plans or policy covering
our participation in the war for three
months after our entry therein.
''That having information as to the
critical situation of the allies, the navy
department did not promptly assist
them, and thereby prolonged the war
by delaying the sending Of anti subma.
rine vessels, none reaching Europe for
nearly a month after war was declared,
and two and half months elapsing
before 80 vessels arrived
That the navy department failed to
appreciate the military value of time.
"That the navy department violated
fundamental military principles in at
tempting to formulate war plans of
operation without having sufficient
knowledge of the whole situation.
"That the departments representa- |
tive with the allied admiralties was |
not supported during the most critical |
months of the war, either by adequate
personnel or by adequate forces that |
could have been supplied
THAT the navy department violated |
military principles in dis
persing forces away from the critical |
area in order to meet diversions of the
enemy
"That the navy department. in the
first months of the war, attempted the
direction of details although 5000
miles distant from the scene of active
operations, where the situation was
changing from day to day
"That the navy department, in not
clearly defining the responsibility and
authority to its representa-
tive in Europe. failed to follow sound
common alike to the b'Isi-
ness and milie.ry professions.
That the navy department by con
trolling the operations and movements
of certain forces within the war area.
violated the fundamental military
of unity of command.
"That the navy department failed TO
Keep its representative abroad com
oletely informed as to its plans affect
ng dispatch and disposition Of forces
n the war zone and frequently reached
decisions in such matters through in
formation gained from sources other
han its representative IN the war
.one."
Admiral Sims said he was not in
ensible to the splendid work done by
he navy at large or the various bu
eaus and other offices of the navy de
,artments.'
His statements were directed al /
most entirely" 10 pointing ont defects
n the administration Of the navy de
,artment during the first few months
4 the war. he said
The thought would occur to many
,ersons, Admiral Sims said. that hind
light is better than foresight and that
t is always easy. in'the light of hind
light. TO point out errors committed in \
ny undertaking. But the issue un, {
er investigation was too important, !
e added, to be affected by such the !
ries
"Hindsight must not be blindsight,
G declared
Admiral Sims direct testimony filed =
early 200 large printed pages and il :
ook him nearly 10 hours TO read II. =
liz cross examination by members of =
he committee probably will BE- started !,
ridav. after which members OF his /,
taft will be heard before Secretary
laniels and officials Of the navy de-
srtment are called.