New-York tribune., 1920-01-21
Sims Calls
'Gag'Policy
Navy Curse
Continued from page /

in his letter to Secretary Daniels, Ad-
miral Sims said:
II want to emphasize that there was
nothing personal in my criticism Of the
Navy Department. It was mads be-
cause believe there wcre csrtain ad-
ministrative matters not conducted
under the immutahla principles ofswar-
fare. I don't know who was at fault
ThHt was not my business.
The public have felt great pride in
the navy and i.s operations during the
war. want to say that in my opinion
that pride was amply justified.
"The navy itself, take it from me-, is
solid to the core. Officers of the navy
loyalty supported each other and our
Allies throughout the war. The dif-
ferences / speak of are administrative,
not operative. 1t has been said that
there is another Sampson-Schley con-
troversy coming. That is wholly wrong;
there never was q possibility Of one,
except in the public press"
Speaking of the cooperation Of the
supply forces in this country during
the war, he said he received the great
est assistance from the bureau heads
in Washington and wrote several let
ters declaring his warm appreciation.
This cooperation, he said, was 80 fine
that it was emphasized in the order
issusd by one bureau head to his sub
ordinstss 60 the effect that III . re-
quest comes from Admiral Sims do 1t
flrst and bring the order to me after
ward"
"Thst was the spirit Of the navy,
don't forget it. The navy is perfectly
solid"
Criticism Held Constructive
Speaking Of the second condition
arising out Of his letter criticising the
administration Of the Navy Department
Admiral Sims said: "The letter have
written points cut certain rsspscte
where the principles Of war have been
these principles will not be violated
He declared the administration Of
the navy wss "undemocratic." 1.-THE
navy officer Is muzzled," ha said, "and
is forbidden to publish criticisms. This
does not pertain in any other navy In
the world, not even In imperial and
autocratic nevies. OF course, even
though IN officer is allowed there to
pupGtu A1S cx1x1e1om No must % re-
spectful, and do In good faith.
"The errors committed in this war
were brought about by our own Ad-
ministration. II our ahlest men had
been tree during the last welve years
TO publish the criticisms Of conditions
IN the navy these errors never would
have happened.
II refer particularly to the chairman
Admiral F1ske. No officer living TO-
day has such accurate knowledge Of
warfare at sea, and If he had been
permitted to present this knowledge we
wouldn't have had trouble on our hands
to-day"
Fair Play" Demanded
Admiral Sims concluded by pointing
out that the essence Of Americanism
was fair play. The naval officer hasnt
got fair play, he said, land he wonY
get it until you people ask for It,"
Major General David C. Shanks, com
mander Of the Port Of Embarkation
was the first speaker at the dinner
He said the reason there had been suci
splendid cooperation and coordination
Of the entire nation during the wa.
was entirely due to the draft law. TIL,
operations of the draft law, he said
made every family In the country in
terested in the successful outcome O.
the war.
DR.. Henry Van Dyke, ~ mer Unitee
States Minister to Holland; Job E
Hedges, and Major F. H. La Guardia
President Of the Board Of Aldermen
we're the other speakers.