Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-01-21
Democrats Offer Resolution
in Senate Condemning
Admiral Sims.
IMMEDIATE ACTION
HALTED BY LODGE
Resolution Would Csnsure Admiral
For Revealing Confidential instruo-
tions in Connection With Doclara-
tion That United States Would as
Soon Fight Great Britain as Ger.
many.

Washington, Jan 2i.--A resolution
declaring that tho action OF Roar
Admiral Sims In making puoIic Of
ilciaI instructions Of the most conf
DENTAL character deserved the con-
domination of all Americans was in
troduced In tho senate today by Senn-
Tor Walsh. Il democratic member OF
the naval committee. HtJ request for
immediate action was denied Oh
motion OF Senator Lodge
The resolution read. from the letter
read by Admiral Sims before the naval
committee in which Sims said he was
told by high naval official not to
lot the British pull the wool over our
eyes. IT Is not our business To pull
their chestnuts out OF the fire. We
would Just as soon go to war with inc
British as the Germans"
Admiral Sims must have considered
these Instructions confidential IL he
did receive them" the resolution said,
adding that the revelation OF them
deserved condemnation of almost uni :
vorsal character.
i can not but believe that whether
the above admonltion was or was not
given to Admiral Sims, the disclosures
under almost any circumstances must
receive tho disapproval OF every Amer
ican," said Senator Walsh.
Senator Mccormick declared tho
resolution affected matter that was
TO be investigated. and Senator Lodge
objected to consideration Of the resolu-
tion on the ground that 1t carried grave
charges against ono OF the most prom
inent officers in tho American navy
without giving him an opportunity TO
defend himself.
Replying to an inquiry by Senator
Borah. OF Idaho, whether Admiral Sims
volunteered his letter, Chairman Halo
said: THE admiral produced 1t be-
cause | Insisted. and / am willing to
take all responsibility"
Declaring that Admiral Sims could
not object II the committee ordered the
production, Senator Sorah said he
Thought the senate was making a
mountains out Of naolehiIl In the entire
affair"
Baker Approves Army Bill.
The army reorganization bill drafted
by the senate subcomnittee was en-
dorsed today by Secretary Baker. who
appeared before tho full committee.
This is the most statesmanlike at
tempt to ,reorganize the army ever
made IN any country and is an effec-
tive piece of legislation, he said.
The measure provides for oompul-
sorry military training and the forma-
tion OF a large army, to be divided
between reserve. the regular army and
tho national guard
Refused to Give British Ships.
The general investigation authorized
by the senate into the conduct OF the
navy during the war will be started
early next week by the Hale sub
committee.
The committee will examine all rec
ords and reports which will tend 20
prove or d!sprove Admiral Sims
charges that the department. failed to
co Cooperate with It's offiocrs abroad, and
that his verbal instructions before go
ing to Europe were that tho United
States would as soon fight the British
as the Germans"
Incidentally. navy department off,
cials revealed for the first time toduy
that this lack Of Responsiveness was
prompted by the determination to keep
the American capital fleet intact to
meet the Germans In event OF disaster
to tho British navy.
This explains, 1t was stated, why
some Of Admiral Gins requests for
vessels to 30 to foreign stations were
refused.
Senator Hale announced today that
the investigation into awards Will ba
concluded this week by hearing Ad-
mirnls Knight and Benson and secre-
tary Daniels and the other charges will
then be taken up.