Evening star., 1920-05-15
DENIES THAT NAVY
WAS UNPREPARED
Secretary Daniels Says Sims
Charge Is ''Uninformed
and Wanton."

Secretary Daniels today attacked
Rear Admiral Sims charge that the
Navy Department lacked plans and
otherwise was unprepared for war.
me charge was "uninformed and
wanton.' he told the Senate, which is
investigating the so-called Sims Dan
lels dispute. and declared testimony
OF Rear admiral Badger and other
members of the general board had
proven such statements unfounded.
Mr. Daniels described in detail the
ofSaniZation and operation of the gen
eIdi board to show that for years be-
iofe the war the board was engaged
M ~ pIIeparlns and revising plans for
laval oaitie in the Atlantic. Admiral
dewey had studied the situation from
me outbreak of the European war and
IN March. 1915. had forwarded a state
.nehe or Preparations necessary to put
.ne Navy Department in readiness for
val; M, Daniels said, which was i'm
mediately approved by him. The Navv
department followed the Dewey ont.
nm; ine as far as Congress appropria-
IONS would permit" Mr.. Daniels de-
Reviews Administration,
,DecIarlns that several witnesses
ing no first-hand knowledge of
,,, me Navy's part in the world war
~, attempted to show by going
9a 9ach as lar as 1913 that the Navy be-
NE the war failed in preparation
because the Secretary and Congress
uiu not Follow their advice in 1913
ana iva. Mr.. Daniels reviewed at
length his administration and his
,o, ,ooI,oo'nn1endations to Congress from
ao aono on. Incidentally. he told the
committee that when he assumed his
post he found the Navy. under Presi-
cent raft. had fallen back" as the
United states, which had advanced to
second place among naval powers in
lsD., cropped back to third in 1911.
heLWeen March, 1918. and Septem-
per. 1916; the Navy was increased in
personnel, material and efficiency
mere 1han in any similar peace period
in our history" said the Secretary.
Pre-War Attitude.
ihe pre-war attitude of the United
states toward preparedness was
shown by President Roosevelts mes
sage TO Congress in 1905, declaring
that 1T does not seem to me neces-
sary that the Navy shouldn't least
IN the immediate future-be increased
beyond the present number Of units"
said Mr. Daniels.
President Roosevelt and President
Taft were both forced to take the
positions they did toward naval build
ing by public opinion. the witness
said. adding that President Wilson
was in advance of public opinion
when he sponsored the building pro-
gram Of 1916.
Secretary Daniels Charges.
Secretary Daniels. at the hearing
yesterday afternoon. charged that
Rear Admiral Sims robbed American
destroyer crews Of credit due them
Lby leaving the investigation of COM
ri IN iS1
admiralty. Had he known that Amer
lean officers were not reviewing the
circumstances of battles between
American vessels and U-boats, he
would have peremptorily ordered the
admiral to adopt that course, the
Secretary said.
Admiralty reports and awards of
credit to the Americans were ac-
ccpted by Admiral Sims. Mr.. Daniels
said. although the British demanded
giving credit for the sinking Of sub
marine in the case of an American
vessel. while using less rigorous
standard in the case of British ships.
Out OF 256 attacks on submarines by
American vessels. the British gave
the United States forces credit for
but "a successful attacks. most of
which were listed as possibly slight
ly damaged" said Secretary Daniels.
In only one case was full credit for
the SINKING OF q U-bOat given an
American ship. he said. this being the
destroyer flaming. which sunk the
U-5S and captured the crew.
Quotes Admirnrs Explanation.
I'm explaining why SO few credits
were given for known sinkings the
| summary compiled by Admiral Sims
states that unless prisoners or un-
| mistakable wreckage were obtained
| following an attack. 1t was practical
! 1y impossible to definitely determine
the results" said Mr.. Daniels. That
prisoners or wreckage were not alb
| solutely required before vessel was
| credited with sinking a submarine is
shown by the reports from the Brit
| ish admiralty records OF cases cIassed
1 as known sunk"
| The Secretary then read records of
encounters between British ships and
| submarines, in which credit was Civ
| en- for sinking the submersible, al
| though neither prisoners nor wreck
age were obtained.
| Il do not blame the British" said
Mr.. Daniels. They were looking out
for themselves. properly. but / do
blame Admiral Sims for not protect
| ing American interests. The United
| States Navy is not accustomed to
! having others decide what credits
4! ch hn lal