South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-11
THREE FAMOUS GENERALS
OF EXECUTIVES STAFF
ARE REPORTED EXECUTED
DANIELS LAUNCHES
COUNTER ATTACK
ON ADMIRAL SIMS
Naval Secretary Severely Crit
icizes Officer for Pro-
British Attitude.
By Associated Press

By Associated Press
WASHINGTON. May 10 - Sec.v
Daniels launched a vigorous counter
offensive against Rear Admiral Sims
Monday. wher he appeared before
the senate investigating committee
TO answer charges made by the Off
Ger on the navy departments con-
duct Of the war.
Sweeping criticism of Admiral
Sims occupied Mr.. Daniels most Of
the day which he devoted TO read
ing a carefully prepared statement.
His attack came as a preface 10 his
answers to the Sims charges of fall
ure and lack of cooperation and he
unsparingly arraigned the admiral
for pro British idiosyncracies." vio-
latiOn of naval regulations and
criticism of the "self-sacrificing and
successful efforts" Of fellow officers.
War Record Introduced.
So far as he dealt, Monday. with
Admiral Sims charges that delay
by the department had prolonged
the war unnecessarily. Sec'y Daniels
declared the naVN's war record stood
untouched today and for an time
regardless of criticism from within
or without
AS the American uayy'S part in
the great war" he said. there are
no Two opinions at home or broad" p"
The most serious charges made
by Admiral Sims are without fouu-
dation and the others are unjus,i-
fed Upon his assumption of what
na
dation OF facts. Admiral Sims has
erected a towering structure of eX-
aggeratiOn and misrepresen ton. a."
Desired IIOnOrS.
The admiral Mr. Daniels said.
desired 10 accept the King of Eng
lands offer that he become an hon
orary member of the British ad-
miralty and wrote "compIainingly"
when the department declined 20 al
low him TO accept the appointment.
Sims coveted foreign decorations and
apparently placed more value on
them than on hOnors Of his own
government could beStow, MT
Daniels declared. and in public
speeches minimiZed the l. nj { ii
States part IN the war and gave
maximum Of credit 10 the BRUSH"
Mr. Daniels said he had always
British honors' as love OF glitter
and foreign decorations" although
he disapproved Of il officially and
privately.
Did Not Measure Up.
Admiral Sims did not wholly mea-
sure up 90 expecta tiOns during the
war Mr. Daniels told the committee
He enumerated six points in this
respect. including charges that the
officers placed too great stress on the
Importance Of protecting cargo yes
sells and had failed 10 appreciate
that the protection OF American sol-
diers eurouce TO France was the
nayy's paramount mission. The sec
tetary said also that AdmlG Sims
had lacked vision 10 appreciate the
navy Department. North Sea bar
rage project To- bottle up the Ger
man submarines Finally. Admiral
Mayo had 10 be sent abroad 90 OBJ
tain the British admiralty cooper
alton i'm the plan, Mr. Daniels as
serted.
scores Sims. ... ..-
"Secy Daniels scored Admiral
Sims for having made public mis-
letter entitled some Naval Lessons
of the World War which brought
about the investigation The letter
should never have beeS made pub
lic until the general board had pass
cd on IL. he said. adding that Ad-
miral Sims could not have chosen
a more ostentatious and well-plan-
ned manner Of securing publicity
The fact that not one life was
lost in transporting the army TO
France was answer 10 most of the
criticisms heard by the committee.
Mr.. Daniels declared. and added that
had he known facts developed dur
ing the investigation he would not
have recommended Sims 90 congress
for q life commission as "a tull ad-
miral.
Referring 20 Sims charge That de-
laws on the part Of the navy depart
ment prolonged the war four months
and cost 100000 lives unnecessarily,
Mr. Daniels declared be had talked
with many admirals OF the British
navy and not one would subscribe
10 the charge.
Violates Navy Orders
Admiral sims statement that just
prior 10 sailing for London be re-
ceived the explicit admonition Don Z
let the British pull the wool over
vour eyes we would as soon fight
them as the Germans received
considerable attention from the sec
retary II the admiral considered
the words az an explicit admOnt-
ton" he violated three sections OF
naval regulations IN making them
public. Mr. Daniels declared
Admiral Sims criticism that Ad-
miral Benson. former chief of ma
CCONTINUED oN PAGE FOUR