The New York herald., 1920-01-20
EAGER TO MAKE NAVY'S PART IN
WAR KNOWN TO ALL, DECLARES
DANIELS, IN REPLY TO CHARGES
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rniral Sims. It will be taken by sub
committee as soon as the present investi-
cation Of the medal awards has been COM
rleted.
2, Secretary Daniels made this announce
ment at the Navy pepartment:-"lf the
Senate investigates, very well. II not
some other tribunal will take up the ques-
ton Of whether the navy did Its fuii
duty" That statement is taken to mean
that special Naval Board of Inquiry
will be appointed by Secretary Daniels If
the Senate committee does not go to the
bottom OF the matter.
8. All letters, official orders, reports
and other documents bearing upon Amer
tcan naval operations in the war now In
the possession of the Navy Department
will be placed at the disposal OF the Sem
ate subcommittee, according to a state
ment of Mr.. Daniels.
4. In order to clear the decks for the
big investigation the subcommittee
headed by Senator Hale, of Maine, con-
Sims with references to his charges of
favoritism in the awarding of medals and
expects TO complete the taking OF testi-
Inony in this matter by the END OF the
week. Secretary Daniels, Rear Admiral
William S. Benson, who was chief or op-
erations during the war, and other hign
officers will be heard.
.. Rear Admiral Benson will propapiy
make the chief defence OF the administra-
ions naval policy when the inquiry 10
broadened, according to information oo-
tanned at the Navy Department. IL is
likely that Franklin d. Roosevelt, Assist
ant Secretary OF the Navy. who Is under
with some of the acts of Mr.. Daniels VIII
be an important witness.
Daniels Challenges ChnrEes.
g. Secretary Daniels challenged Rear
Admiral Sims to prove every assertion he
has made to the Hale ub-committee-not
only his declaration that he was officially
advised not to let 'the British pull the
wool over your eyes, and that I'VE
would just as soon fight the British as
tho Germans" when he started for the
war zone. but every one of his charges
Of administrative inefficiency and lack
of cooperation.
T. Rear Admiral Sims, declining to COM
ment upon Secretary Daniels denial that
he was the man who gave him tiAe aston
ishing warning against the British, again
asserted that he will answer all questions
put to him on this and other subjects
when the Senate subcommittee reaches
that phase of the investigation.
8. IL was learned tonight that many Off
GERS in the navy are anxious to testify
before the Senate committee in favor of
Rear Admiral Sims. A report was received
that several hundred officers signed a
petition to this effect before the Atlantic
fleet left for Cuba, but this could not be
definitely confirmed here.
Rear Admiral Sims spent several hours
on the stand today finishing his testimony
in relation to the medal awards. The ses-
sion was marked by repeated sharp tits
between the Rear Admiral and DEMO-
cratic members. in which the naval Of
ficer revealed himself as a master of
repartee in salt sea language, to the high
glee of hundreds of listeners in the
crowded hearing room.
Points OF Sims Testimony.
The chief points in Rear Admiral Sims
testimony Were:-
That Secretary Daniels policy in the
awarding of medals would, If persisted
in, soon undermine the efficiency of any
military force.
That the whole controversy over the
awarding of medals ought to be dropped
and that the practice of granting medals
for distinguished service should end.
That the Navy Department, in the very
nature of things, could not know who
was deserving of special honors as well as
those who sweat blood" with the men in
actual charge of the war at the front.
The hearing room was thrown into up
roarous hiarity when Rear Admiral Sims
differentiated between medals awarded by
the United States for distinguished SER
vice to it's own officers and decorations
bestowed by foreign governments upon
American officers The latter. he said.
we're to be viewed not in any personal
light but merely as courtesies to the
country represented by the recipients of
the honors.
ut don't make much difference how
much of a dub they think you are, Some
foreign government will insist on hang
ing a medal on you" said the Rear Ad-
miral I'm the old days, IL you went to
manoeuvres in Germany you ad to travel
pretty rapidly If you wanted to escape a
decoration"
what was the order they hung on you.
Nevada, Democrat.
The Rear Admiral consulted his aid
and then replied THE G.. c. NJ c., the
Grand Cross of Honor. the First Class
Order of the Rising Sun, and at half1past
one this afternoon I've got to go down TO
the Belgian Embassy to receive the High
est Order of Leopold. II j wore ali by de-
board
Sees Politics in Inquiry.
You can search me-" responded Rear
Admiral Sims. II haven't the slightest
idea, although as a military man I strong
Is suspected that there might be some
flavor of politics in it."
There was a renewed outburst of laugh
ter. and when it subsided the Rear Ad-
miral went on:-
And now, Senators. II you'll pardon me
I've got TO go down to the Belgian en-
hassy to get that other medal"
Senator Trammell, of Florida. Demo
crat. took the Rear Admiral sharply to
task for his attitude toward the COM
mittee.
'IIe seems to be constantly reflecting
upon the committee Senator Trammell
complained. HE appears to hold the COM
r1ittee in contempt | resent his belitting
the committee. | will not stand for insult
after insult being heaped upon the COM
nittee without resenting it. Other mem
bers may, but won't
Perhaps | have been testy," admitted
Rear Admiral Sims. "If have been I'm
sorry-I didn't mean to reflect on the
committee"
Discussing the controversy at the Navy
Department this afternoon Secretary
Daniels said
Daniels Welcomes Inquiry.