Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-10

chosen to go to London mot because
of that speech but i'll spite of it,
If Admira! Sims regarded an ''ex-
( pilcii admoniiion. as he said in his
letter of January !. the don't let the
British pull the wool over your eyes
caution Secretary Daniels declared he
convicted himself of violating three
! sections of naval regulations by MAX
ing it public.
Later" said the Secretary. admiral
Sims. seeking TO avoid the serious
consequences which violating conf
dence and naval customs and regula-
lions would invite If the language
he attributed TO Admiral Benson were
an explicit admonition. said that he
considered the alleged statement only
peculiar idiosyncrasy' of Admiral
Bensons.
Il do not need to tell your commit
tee that the will to win completely
dominated Admiral Benson. that he
was whole heartedly working night
and day to achieve success and that
the distinguished honors conferred
upon him at home and abroad.
There is a peculiar ma4ady which
affects a certain type of Americans
V no go abroad and become in many
respects un-A merican. That malady
causes them to regard others who do
not lose their thorough going Ameri-
canism and undivided allegiance. as
having idiosyncrasies Sims genu-
fiected SO before the British admiralty
IDEAS and accepted British IDEAS 50
fully and coveted British honOrs SO
earnestly that he came to regard as
anti-British such a rugged American
as Admiral Benson. who is all Amer
lean. nsither pro nor anti with ref
erence to any o.tser country.
Reference to Mr.. Wilson.
The Naval Secretary testified that in
giving Admiral Sims his final instruc.
tions he told the officer that President
Wilson could not understand why the
British did not convoy their ships
through the danger zone.
Il added that l had Informed the
President that there was difference OF
convoy SYSTEM Mr. Daniels continued.
but told him that the President was de-
cidedly of the opinion that the ships
should be conveyed"
Admiral Sims title of Commander OF
American naval forces in European
waters" was misleading Mr.. Daniels
declared, because he actually COM
manded no ships.
LAS all our ships in British waters
were operated by British officers.
continued the witness. The was sub
director Of naval operations under
Admiral Benson rather than COM
mander of forces afioat."
Recalling that in December. 1917,
Admiral Sims cabled the Navy De-
partment. in response to an inquiry
that he strongly deprecated any eff
fort to create an impression that our
naval forces abroad have been ham,
pered by the failure of the depart
ment to comply with my recon-
menda TONS" Secretary Daniels said
the admiral. by this message. had pro-
pounded new doctrine. that II was
justifiable to deceive his superiors and
the people at large.
The department had cabled Admiral
Sims. the Secretary said. because IL
there were criticisms it was desired to
give the information to Congress.
When Admiral Sims appeared recently
before the investigating committee.
Mr. Daniels continued. he admitted
that the reply was for purposes or
"deception." thus assuming. according
to the Secretary. that members OF
Congress would use information for
the benefit of the enemy.
Admiral Sims criticism that he was
not given an adequate staff was entire
ly unwarranted, Mr.. Daniels declared.
adding that from the first he was
given all the officers that could be
spared.
The Secretary told the committee he
declined to grant Admiral Sims request
to commission young Americans living
in London, because he did not want
the naval reserve to become IAN open
door to favored youths who wished
commissions and a refuge Tor ike
Youths who clamored to serve abroad
in clerical OF other shore duties