The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-03-18
SIMS READING
OF TESTIMONY
IS FINISHED
Admiral Completes Reading
of Long Prepared State
ment-Charges l3 Separ-
ate Cases of Costly Mistake.
NAVY WAS NOT READY
(Py Associated Press)

conduct of the war, Rear Admiral
Sims laid before the senate 1nvestl-
eating committee today, 13 speclhc
counts in his Indictment, charging mis-
takes and costly delays.
Referring his declaration that his
criticisms were aimed at no Individual
but that responsibility for any fail
ures" rested upon "the navy depart
ment as an organization" Admiral
Sims said:
IF / have shown that there was
lack of conviction or clear understand
Ning on the part Of the navy depart
,tment as to where it's efforts should be
directed; if l have shown that the
navy was hampered by lack OF pre-
paredness, by lack Of essential plans,
and by being held back in the begin
ming; if have demonstrated that vic
tory was won not because of these
errors but in spite of them. and that
such errors were only nullified by a
combination of circumstances which
we would be foolhardy indeed to count
upon in the future-then Twill feel
that l have been fully justified in sub
mitting my letter to Secretary Daniels
of January T."
Blame Must Be Placed.
II any individual was responsible.
Admiral Sims said, the fact would
necessarily have to be developed by
persons who knew the "inner work
ings" of the department during the
war.
The admiral's summary Of his
charges follow: 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 ex-
tremely critical ones for the whole al
lied cause. due to the success of en-
amy submarines.
That this critical situation was
made clear to the navy department
few days after America entered the
war, and repeatedly thereafter by
"a bles and letters, supported by inde-
pendent advices to the government
from the American ambassador in Lon
don and by Mr.. Hoover.
No Plans for Three Months
THAT the navy department supplied
. me with no plans or policy covering
Your 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 wal
by delaying the sending of anti-suD
ma rine vessels, none reaching Europe
for nearly a month after war was de
clared, and 1-2 months elapsing be-
fore thirty vessels arrived.
THAT the navy department failed tc
1yo< fI@ 81
THAT the navy department violated
fundamental military principles in
tempting to formulate war plans Of
operation without having sufficient
knowledge of the whole situa ton.
Lacked Liaison With Allies
THAT the departments representa-
tive with the allied admiralties was
not supported, during the most critical
months Of the war, either by adequa tc
personnel or by adequate forces thai
could have been supplied.
THAT the navy department violated
fundamental military principles ir
dispensing forces away from the criti
cal area in order to meet diversions o.
the enemy.
THAT the navy department., in the
first months of the war. attempted tht
direction of details although 3,OGG
uicdllI liohI lHC SSclc vi dClltt
operations, where the situat ton was
changing from day to day.
That the navy department in no.
clearly defining the responsibility anc
delegating authority to its represent
ative in Europe, failed to follow sounc
principles, common alike to the bust
:, ness and military professions.
Violated Unity.
THAT the navy department, by con
trolling the operations and movement.
of certain forces within the war area
violated the fundamental military prin
cple of unity of command
That the navy department failed tt
keep its representative abroad com
rletely informed as to its plans affect
ing dispatch and disposition of force!
IN the war zone and frequently reached
decision in such matters through In
formation gained from sources othe
than it's representative in the wa
zone"
Admiral Sims said he was not in
"onsibIe 70 the splendid work done b,
The navy at large or the various
bureaus and other offices of the nav,
department. His statements We're di
roCtcd almost entirely" to pointin.
out defects in the administration o
the navy department during the frs
few months of the war. he said
Praises Work Itself.
The navy if Loyalty and properl.
supported and directed, may be count
ed upon to maintain the finest tradi
tions Of the force" he added an,
the officers and men Of the nava
militia and naval reserve he said, tha
without their invaluable help much O
the work done by the navy in this wa
could not have heen undertaken.
"The outstanding feature of thei
service was the cheerful and loyal sur
rort which they gave to the regula
navy at all times. and under all cond
= tions," he declared.
The thought would occur to man
nersons. Admiral Sims said, tha
'hindsight. is better than foresigh
and.that 1t is always easy. in the ligh
~ bindsight to point out errQFN 0ou|