Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-20
Dcmoralizing the Navy

THE testimony Of Rear-Admiral William S.
1 Sims before the subcommittee Of tho
Senate Naval Affairs Committee, investigat-
ing awards OF decorations, in which he Sc
vcrely criticizes the Navy Departments con-
duct OF war operations, has created some
what Of sensation and dscloses conditions
in the naval establishment calling for Il
sweeping investigation to get at all the facts
involved. Whatever the condition back of
Admiral Sims criticism, the outgrowing con-
troversy is manifestly having deadly effect
upon the morale of the navy personnel, and
it is not unlikely that when all Of the facts
arc laid bare the entire naval establishment
will be found divided against ITSELF with the
fleet personnel generally supporting Sims, and
the staff officers upon whom the weight OF
the Sims indictment falls almost as heavily
as upon Secretary Daniels, supporting the
civilian head OF the department.
The substance of the admirals testimony
before the committee is bitter arraignment
OF the secretary and the department for
failure properly to cooperate with him dur
ing the war in his direction OF the naval
operations on the other side. The lack of
such cooperation, he charges, actually pro-
longcd the war adding that lit was ten
months before We really came to the aid OF
the allies or acted on their recommended
TONS, due to reluctance OF the Navy Dc
partnent to act on his recommendations.
But the outstanding sensation OF his tcs-
at the Navy Department as he was about
To depart for London TO take command OF
the American naval forces in European
waters Just before the United States entered
the war with Germany, to-wit: Don't let
the British pull the wool over your eyes 1t
Is none OF our business pulling their chest
nuts out OF tho fire. We would as soon
fight the British the Germans" He says
such instructions were given by a high Off
clal OF the Navy Department, but declined
TO dlvulge the name OF the Official Secre-
tary Daniels denies that he gave any such
instructions. If this language was used by
some other official. it is uncomfortable that
II was spoken other than in a jocular way.
and was intended only to put the admiral
on ms guard against oversteppinS the limits
oil the neutral position at that time occu-
pied by the United States. Even at that
the witness was guilty OF gross impropriety
IN repeating in public hearing a statement
entirely irrelevant TO tho purpose of the in
qulry OF nature calculated to create sus-
picion against the sincerity OF this countries
profession OF friendship for nation with
which IL was associated in the conduct of the
war and with whom the effort is now being
made to cement the bonds OF still closer
friendship.
Whatever may be the outcome OF the con
troVersy. as determined b. fuller investiga-
ton, the conclusion will force itself upou
the unpre)udiccd public mind that tho tes-
timony OF Admiral Sims has very largely
hecn inspired by animus growing out OF the
exercise by Secretary Daniels and the naval
BOARD or authority vested in them by law
ana regulations OF the service to revise the
hst OIL recommendations for, decorations sub
h'htea ny hlmself and make such changes
as seemed just and proper, and further that
thc admiral has invited serious criticism Of
himselt by his bitter and unnecessary attack
on the Navy Department. In the meantime,
secretary Daniels, refrains from commentin-
on the testimony OF Admiral Sims holding
himself in readiness to appear before the
committee at its pleasure to present his side
Dt Tue controversy When he does so, we
lave no doubt that he will present cvidonca
which will completely justify the course mr.
sued ny the Navy Department in directing
our naval activities throughout the war, as
well as in the subsequent bestowal OF awards
oil honor TO its personnel