The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-02-08
DA LS-S'MS IN
.L.IMELIGHT STILL.
WITH CHARGES AND.
COUNTER CHARGES

Washington, Feb. 7.-Charsng that
Rear Admiral Sims in his recent ser.
les Of articles On The war had gratui.
tously cast a reflection upon the
whole Irish race, Secretary Daniels
told the committee investigating naval
awards today that he regretted he
had not required the admiral to sub
init his writings to the navy depart.
mcnt before they We're published.
81 expected Admiral Sims to con.
fine his observations strictly to the
operations of our naval forces abroad
during the war" said the secretary.
Il regret 10 say that he did not do
SO"
Secretary Daniels said that this
was another reason why / would not
now recommend him continued the
secretary. Admiral Sims made pub
lie before this committee instructions
he says he received when he was sent
abroad which he himself said were
confidential Il r-liso no question as
to the accuracy Of his memory At this
time, that will all como out later.
but no secretary Of the navy or other
public official could ever recommend
and officer who. after receiving in
struc,ians. would aftoiward disclose
what he himself Thought to be conf.
dental Instructions"
After congress passed law per
mittiug American officers to accent
decorations from foreign governments.
President Wilson directed the state
department to inform all European
governments that tho United States
did not wish any awards made, Secre-
tary Daniels disclosed today before
the senate committee investigating
awards.
Before the president acted, Mr.. Dan
iols said. Rear Admiral Sims had been
Informed by the chief Of tho bureau
Of navigation ot the passage Of 'ho
law and had accepted decoration
from the king Of England and had
advised Admiral Rodman. then com
man0ng the American battle divis
ion with the British grand fleet, and
Rear Admiral Strauss, directing the
laying Of the North Sea mine barrage,
to accept decorations.
Admiral Sims vas in favor of for
eien decorations for American naval
officers. Mr. Daniels continued. hold
ing that they would help the morale.
Mr.. Daniels told the committee he
took an entirely different view aud
had never desired American officers
to accept any decorations from for
cign governments.
The secretary said Admiral Rod
man and Strauss were reluctant tol
accept docmatons from the king Of
England and he read letters from
them to the department on the sub
jcct.
When MIR. Daniels completed his
prepared statement, he was cross cv-
aminod by members of the committee
He conceded that Admiral Sims he'd
served where ordered and said that
he meant no reflection by his pre-
vlous testimony that the admiral had
served most Of his time on shore
duty.
Sims was informed by Secretary
Daniels of the presidents action, the
secretary continued and he wrote ask
ing whether he should return the med.
al TO the king. Mr.. Daniels said he
replied that in view Of the action TAX.
en-, presumably before President WI
sons request reached the king, there
was nothing that could be done and
hat, Of course, the decorations al
rcady accepted could not be returned
lie expressed the hope at the time, h
said. that no other foreign dccorat on
would be given except such as might
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