The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-21
SENATE REFUSES
TO CENSURE SIMS
G. 0. P. Majority Blocks Res
OIution of Senator Walsh
Condemning Admiral.
ANTI BRITISH ORDER 0. K.

Washington, Jan. 2t,--A resolution
declaring that the action OF Rear
Admiral Sims in making public of
fetal instructions of the most con-
fidential character" affecting inter-
national relations deserved the CON
demnation of all Americans. was in
troduced In the senate today by Sem
ator Walsh, democrat, OF Montana, a
member of the naval committees His
request for immediate consideration
was denied on objection of Repub-
lican Leader Lodge.
The resolution quoted from the let
ter read by Admiral Sims before the
senate committee inVostigating naval
decorations, in which the admiral
said that before he left the United
States for Europe, in March, 1917
he was told by Il high naval official
not to 'let the British pun the wool
over your eyes; II is none Of our
business pulling their chestnuts out
of the fire: we would as soon fight
the British as the Germans" Ad-
miral Sims must have, and did, con-
slider these instructions. II they over
were given, to be of the most highly
said. adding that his action In maxi
ing them public deserved universal
and unqualified disapproval
81 cannot but believe that whether
the above admonition was or was not
given to Admiral Sims, the disclosure
under almost any circumstances must
receive the disapproval of every
American" said Senator Walsh.
Senator Mccormick. republican. of
Illinois, declared the resolution ar
fected a matter that was to be later
investigated by subcommittee and
Senator Lodge objected to cohsidera-
tion OF the resolution on tho ground
that II contained grave charge
against one of the prominent officers
IN the American navy without Civ
Ing him an opportunity to defend
himself
Replying TO an inquiry by senator
Borah republican, of Idaho, whether
Admiral Sims volunteered his letter.
Chairman Hale, of the decorations
subcommittee, said:
Tho admiral produced Il because
| Insisted, sand | am entirely willing
to take AL responsibility"
Declaring Admiral Sims could not
object if the committee ordered tho
letters production. Senator f3orah
said he thought the senate was max
ing mountain out OF molehln in
this entire affair"
borah Approves Daniels Course.
The warning given to Admiral
Sims against letting the British pull
the wool over his eyes" was ap-
proved by Senator Borah, who said
the" official giving II should he com-
mended.
II don't find anything to censure
either Secretary Daniels or the ad
mral for" said Mr. Borah. "lt was
very prop admonitlon and I re-
srot the secretary has denied it,"
Senator Walsh said the whole
question was over disclosure OF con-
hdontial orders by the admiral ard
Senator Thomas. democrat. of Colo
rado, said II seemed 10 him there was
gross violation Of somebody's con
hdenco,"
senator Pholan democrat, of Cali
forna. inquired whether the commit
tees investigation proposed TO con
slider censure of Admiral Sims If he
acted Improperly, and Senator Hale
replied that the whole field would be
covered. including general invostign
ton Of the conduct Of tho war i'm
connection with naval mattors