The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-18
OFFICIALS ONLYOF
NAVY ARE BLAMED
BY ADMIRAL SIMS
Summary of Charge of Laxity
of Department in War Laid
Before Senate Investigating
Committee. 1913,


WASHINGTON. March Is. An.
preaching the conclusion OF his Ions
arraignment OF the navy DEPARTMENT.
Sohduct OF the war. Rear Admiral Sims
laid before the senate iuVestigatinr
committee today thirteen specific counts
IN MS Indictment charging mistakes and
follows:
That in spite OF the fact that war
had been going on for nearly three
Years and our entry into Il had been
imminent AT least from Feb Q 1917
the vessels Of the navy were not ready
Tor war service when the United States
entered
That the first few months after
America entered the war were extreme
~ critical ones for the whole allied
Iause, due to the success Of enemy sub
marines.
That this critical situation was made
clear to the navy department few
days after America entered the war.
and repeatedly thereafter BY cables and
letters, supported by independent ad-
wees to the government from the Amer
lean ambassador in London and by Mr..
Hoover
That the navy department, supplied
me with no plans or policy covering our
participation In the war for three
months after our entrance therein.
That, having information as to the
critical situation of the allies, the navy
department did not promptly assist
them, and thereby prolonged the war
by delaying the sending of antisubma-
rine vessels. none reaching Europe for
nearly a month after war was declared,
and two and a half months elapsing
before thirty vessels arrived.
That the navy department failed to
appreciate the military value Of time.
That the navy department violated
tempting TO formulate war plans of OPP
GRAFTON without having sufficient knowl-
edge Of the situation.
That the departments representative
with the allied admiralties was not
supported, during the most critical
months of the war. either by adequate
personnel or by adequate forces that
could have been supplied.
That the navy department violated
fundamental military principles in dis
persing forces away from the critical
area in order to meet diversions Of the
enemy.
That the navy department in the
first months of the war, attempted the
direction of details although three thou
active operations, where the situation
was changing from day to day.
That the navy department, in not
clearly defining the responsibility and
delegating authority TO its representa-
tive in Europe, failed to follow sound
principles, common alike to the bust
ness and military professions.
That the navy department, by con-
trolling the operations and movements
of certain forces within the war area,
violated the fundamental military
principle of unity of command
That the navy department failed to
keep its representative abroad COM
pletey informed as to its plans affect
ing despatch and disposition of forces
in the war zone, and frequently reached
decisions in such matters through in
formation gained from sources other
than It's representative in the war zone
Admiral Sims said he was not in
sensible TO the splendid work done by
the navy at large or the various bu-
reaus and other offices of the navy de-
partment,' His statements We're d.
rected almost entirely to pointing out
defects in the administration of the
navy department during the first few
months of the war, he said
Admiral Sims direct testimony filled
nearly 200 large printed pages, and 1t
took him nearly 16 hours to read IT.,
His cross examination by members of
the committee probably will be started
Friday, after which members OF his
staff will be heard before Secretary
Daniels and officials of the navy de-
partment are called.