The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-04-08
ADMIRAL WILSON
SAYS U. s. NAVY
DID SHARE IN WAR
Takes Issue With Sims Testi-
mony Before Probers--Says
No Navy Was Better Pre-
pared When Called Upon.

WASHINGTON, April s.--Vessols on
the active list OF the navy were nsvar
better prepared for war than when the
United States Joined the allies and the
navy department had ''full and COM
piete" plans to combat a German Of
fensive against the coasts OF the Unit
ed States, Admiral II. b. Wilson today
told the senate committee investigating
the navy departments conduct OF the
world war. Replying to criticism In the
letter from Rear Admiral Sims to Sec
retary Daniels that caused the lnvesti-
cation, Admiral Wilson asserted that
from the moment war was declared
the entire navy-the department as well
as the tleet-entered into the prosecu-
ton OF the war with the greatest energy
and Its accomplishments deserve COM
mendation of the nation"
Admiral Wilson, now commander-in-
chief OF the Atlantic fleet, commanded
the patrol force that first protected wa
later, based on Brest, France, cooper
ated in protecting allied conveys IN the
war zone and hunting U-boats.
within four days after this country
entered the. war representatives Of the
allied admiralties were In conferences
with Secretary Daniels and naval Off
GERS In Washington outlining means By
which the most effective assistanes
could be rendered by this country. the
witness declared SO far ms he knew.
Admiral Wilson said, every suggestion
put forward by the allied officials was
promptly agreed to and efficiently car
ried out. The fact that the greater part
OF the American army was transported
over 5000 miles OF water without life
being lost through efforts OF the enemy
testified to the success of this co-opera.
tion, the admiral asserted.
Our naval forces from the start co.
operated In most successful manner
with the naval forces. Of our associates
Wilson declared. "By their splendid
and efficient IVORY they materially aided
In shortening the war and In this naa-
ner saving untold life and property"
Mistakes Unimportant.
Mistakes the navy made during the
war were 80 relatively unimportants
that they were hardly worth conslder-
ing In comparison with It's achiave.
| ments, the witness said,
mo nation upon the approach Of the
| war has had force OF hattfeships more
nearly prepared for battle than was the.
force TO which was attached and which
spent the winter Of 1861 In Southern
waters" Admiral Wilson testified. II
feel sure that II this force had en-
Eaged an enemy on Its cruise north III
the spring OF 1917 victory would have
Morale in the service was high at
that time, the officer said. and the ac-
tive fleet prepared for an emergency
Referring to Admiral Sims charEe
that an insufficient number OF small
vessels was sent abroad during the first
few months OF American participation
In the war. Admiral Wilson declared
that conference between Secretary
Daniels and the allied admiralty repre-
| sentatives about April 10, 1917. the for
eign officials did not express any dire
need for help or great urgency for it,"
and suggested that the United States
take over the work of patrollIng the
waters adjacent to this country, and
one representative suggested that the
United States send "one destroyer
abroad In order that the flag may be
shown TO let IL know that the United
states navy has actually Joined the
naval forces of the allies"
II believe that both representatives
Uhose Of France and Great Brittany felt
that they had successfully accomplished
their mission; that they were more than
pleased with their reception by the sec
Fetary OF the navy and were especially
impressed with the hearty manner In
which the responsible officers OF the
navy department had shown their de-
sire to cooperate and thus further the
| cause against the common enemy" de-
clared Admiral Wilson. n
The admiral read a long statement
he prepared In August 1918, for meme
| bers OF the house naval committee then
| in France, to show the degree OF Amer
| lean cooperation with the allies at that
| time and It's success.