New-York tribune., 1920-03-10

Il am convinced" declared the wit
ness with emphasis, chat our failure
to give adequate support to our naval
allles with the means at our disposal
during the first six months of the war
seriously and unnecessarily jeopardized
the outcome of the whole conflict.
"In my opinion, it undoubtedly re-
suited in lengthening the war by sew
eral months through the increased
losses IN >merchant shipping that re-
suited therefrom. l believe that this
failure, combined with the equally
adequately during the few months pre-
vlous and the few months subsequent
to our declaration of war, probably
postponed victory four months
"Since the average loss of life per
day was about 5000 and the total daily
cost was more than $1O0,00O0OO, it can
be appreciated what this delay meant
to humanity and how serious was any
fault that resulted in materially pro-
longing hostilities."
Sweeping Inquiry Started
The investigation which was start.d
to-day, although inspired by charges
made by Admiral Sims in the course of
the inquiry into alleged discrimination
in medal awards, is being undertaken
as separate and distinct inquiry. 1t
promises to be a sweeping one, with
Secretary Daniels and Rear Admiral
William E: Benson, chief of naval
operations during the war, as the prin-
made by the committee on the awards
inquiry upheld the chs(ges of unfair
ness.
Although emphasizingAhat his criti-
cisms of the departments were con-
find entirely to the first six months of
Americas participation in the war, and
were not to be construed as rejecting
on it's performances after that period,
Admiral Sims's attack to-day was a
drastic one During the period in ques-
ton, he declared, there were COM
mitted numerous violations of we'll
recognized and fundamental military
principles" which he summed up as
follows:
"Unpreparedness, in spite of the
fact that war had been possibility
for at least two years and was, in
fact, imminent for many months be-
fore it's declaration.
1--WE entered the war with no well
considered policy or plans and with
out our forces on the sea in the high
est state of readiness.
"That, owing to the above condi-
tions, and to the lack of proper or
ganization of our Navy Department,
and perhaps to other causes with
Which | am not familiar, We failed
for at least six months to throw our
full weight against the enemy; that
during this period we pursued pol
icy of vacillation, or, in simpler
words, hand to mouth policy, at
tempting to formulate our plans from
day to day, based upon an incorrect
appreciation of the situation"
Admiral Sims referred only casually
to the alleged verbal instructions re-
ceived by him on the eve of his depart
ure to take command abroad. In tes-
tifying in the medal awards investiga-
ton he had previously declared these in
structions were limited to the admin
ton:
Don't let the British pull the wool
over your eyes. We don't intend to
pull the British chestnuts out Of the
fire. We would as soon fight the Brit
ish as the Germans"
Simply stating to-day that the in
structions he had received were ex-
tremely vague, he told the committee
that as his further examination pro-
ceeded the spirit of these instructions
would become manifest
In this connection the witness took
occasion to answer criticisms made
against him by Secretary Daniels ana
Continued IN nent nan.