The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-03-17
4!AMPERED BY
insufficient
STAFF.,S
Given Only One Officer Over
Period of Months, Admiral
Charges - Nears End of
Long Testimony.
CIVILIANS WERE USED
(By Associated Press)


WASHINGTON, March 17-Nearing
the end of his long statement to the
senate Investigating committee Rear
Admiral Sims today elaborated his
charges that the inadequacy of his
staff abroad prevented for several
months maximum efficiency in the
United States naval participa ton in
the war.
He testified that he was unable to
bring the navy department to a real
lzatiOn of the importance of his post,
and the necessity for providing a
large staff at the outset, to compile
and digest allied naval information
and direct the early details of Ameri-
can cooperation on the seas.
Admiral Sims said he arrived in
London in April, 1917, with but one
aid, and Immediately realizing the
magnitude Of the task confronting
him. cabled the department request
ing that three additional assistants be
sent him at once.
Placed In Destroyer Charge
Before he received any reply, he
was placed also in command of the
destroyer force abroad, and thereupon
asked for three more officers, includ-
ing a chief of staff, expecting that the
request would be granted without
question.
The last of April one officer arrived
and was assigned to the destroyer
pase at Queenstown, Admiral Sims
SAID, but no word came from the de-
partment regarding his reitera ted re-
quests for at least six assistants
Throughout June he remained in
ignorance of the departments plans
and received no further aid. the Off
Ger said. An American civilian who
had resigned from the navy in 1914
to enter in business in London yolun-
tered to assist him, the admiral said,
and this man with his one aid COM
prised his entire London staff.
Couldn't Even Decode MESSAGES
My staff was then wholly made
quate even to code and decode mes
sages to and from the department"
he commented. much less attempt to
compile vitally necessary informa-
ton"
IN June, medical officer was order
ed to his staff, the admiral said, and
ABOUT the same time Secretary Daniels
cabled him authority to employ cleric
al assistance and spend any sums
reeded for the discharge of his duties.
out nothing was done regarding the
officers he had asked sent to assist
illn IN MS technical duties.
In repeated messages, Admiral Sims
said he urgently recommended that a
special officer be detailed to the Brit
1sh admiralty to coordinate CONVOY
plans, but never received an answer
Finally he detached the captain from
a destroyer and assigned him to this
duty.
Two Small Rooms Allotted.
We had reached the limit Of
physical endurance" Admiral Sims
said. I'VE were established in two
small rooms at the embassy and dis
patches were pouring in on us every
day. I only wish that I were capable
Of describing the conditions in my
office at this time
On July 7, Captain N c. Twining
was detailed to be his chief of staff,
the Admiral said. Continual differ
ences with the department were
demonstrating the need of closer
1iason between his office and Washing
ton, the admiral said, due to his in
ability to send and reply to letters
and cablegrams.
Throughout July he continually
warned the department that troop con-
voys were being endangered by lack
of proper assistance abroad, the ad-
miral said and protested against the
departments inclination to send him
young and inexperienced officers. and /.
keep the older ones in home waters.