Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-22
rs One TO
lDv|SE SIMS
10 LOOK OUT.
Warning About Pulling
woo" !" However, Not .
Part of Orders.

Warrington, March 22.--Rear Ad-.i
mai william S. Benson, then
! Asa Of naval operations, was the
.Aeial who told Rear Admiral
Gina mot to let the British pull
n WOOL over your eyes; We would
= ,ocn fight them as the Germans"
lamiral Sims testified today beforeS
4, senate committee investigating
le nayy's conduct of the war.
Not Part OF Instructions.
Admiral Sims said the remark
M made just after he had received
n final instructions from Secre-
ury Daniels preparatory to his de-
urture for England on the eve OF
IL entry of the United States into
As war. He added, however, that
vas not made in the course OF
Smmal instructions, but during a
uuyersation in the Office of Rear
Uniral Palmer, chief OF the bureau
] Il navigation.
The witness told the committee
That Admiral Benson repeated his
umoniticn during conservation
he following day and that he made
Tie same remark six months later
| b London.
Paid Little Attention.
Admiral Sims said he did not pay
nrticular attention to the state
pent at that time because he be-
| Esed Admiral Benson was intense
! y anti british. He added that this
klief was entertained generally
+ throughout the service.
An aid recently called his atten-
Ion to the remark, the admiral
Inid, aid Admiral Palmer also told
+ lin that he remembered hearing
ldniral Benson make the state
rent.
The -witness~- was reluctant to
Gve the name Of the officer, but
chairman Hale insisted.
Then, will tell you the whole
story" said Admiral Sims. "Early
In April, 1917, was ordered from
| ny post at Newport to Washington.
When | arrived l reported to the
navy department by telephone and
vas told not to come to the depart
ment, but to get in touch with the
chief Of the bureau of navigation,
Rear Admiral Leigh c. Palmer.
Everything was very secret, the
way they liked it. l could not get
n touch with the chief of naviga-
ton then and so l reported to him
liter at the department and then l
sS'hM an interview with the secre-
tary Of the navy in his office. NO
one else was present as l remem-
hfed II. The interview was very
kief was told that was go
hs abroad to confer with the allied
Nmiralties and that Ambassador
Page had requested that an officer
II high rank be sent there for that
purpose. After leaving Secretary
Daniels Office, or Just before going
hefe. ! don't remember which.
vent TO the bureau Of navigation.
The admiral was there and 1t was
that time that the remark OF the
chairman has asked me about was
made"
Whom do YOU refer to, the ad-
hifal'" asked Chairman Hale.
Admiral Sims, when pressed by
vaairman Hale, said he referred to
Admiral Benson.
Created Prejudice.
Admiral Sims said he included
ADMIRAL Benson's remark in his
etter to Secretary Daniels on Jan.
|. regarding the navy's part in the
var because "if a man has a preju-
oiee against men fighting alongside
h him il has an unconscious infiu-
ence on him."
Inc admiral told the committee
had always regarded the ad-
nonition as personal prejudice
~ tne part OF Admiral Benson
ne described the former chief OF
opefations as IAN outstanding, hon
~ man who has strong convic-
uons, and added he believed every
alns that Admiral Benson did dur
tcusly."
Benson Gave Him Post.
= II was due largely to Admiral
ssnson's confidence in him that he
~ selected to the high post ne
%Sapied during the war. Admiral
S@s said. adding that in urging
- selection Admiral Benson in
Wied the dislike of many officers
Nor to Admiral Sims who desired
u post.
senator Pittman. Democrat, Ne
~ asked IL in view OF the anti
usn sentiments OF Admiral Ben
that officer had not acted in
oload minded way in sending
@fal Sims to London.
Tue witness replied that Admiral
~ason had always been "fair and