Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-01-20
DANIELS INSISTS ON
PUBLIC GETTING ALL.
FACTS ON PROBE
Ready for ShowdoWn--Ev-
cry Document Open to
Light of Day, He Declares
in Statement

\ WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.--Con1;
plete investigation of Rear Admiral
Sims charges against the navy de-
partments conduct of the war will
be made by the subcommittee now in
curing into the award of naval dec
ora lions as soon as it completes its
present task This decision was made
today by the full senate naval COM
mittee.
While refusing to discuss Admiral
I SIMS letter of criticism of the de-
partment, Mr.. Daniels indicated the
admiral frequently clashed with the
department through his insistence
that more destroyers be withdrawn
from troop conveys to augment the
anti-submarine forces in European
waters.
A motion by Senator Pittman, Dem
! ocrat, Nevada, to have a separate
subcommittee named to make an i'm
mediate investigation was defeated
! The motion to have the present sub.
! committee conduct the inquiry was
made by Senator Walsh, Democrat t,
| Montana.
| Daniels Aroused
Unless the senate investigate of
Admiral Sims charges Of failure OF
the navy department to cooperate
fully with the allies during the war
is made to the entire satisfaction of
the American people, an inquiry will
be made by naval board, Secretary
Daniels announced. He added that
mo organization in the history of the
world ever did a better job than the
American navy"
THE paramount duty of the
American navy" Mr.. Daniels de-
clared, was to protect the passage
of American troops to Europe, and
the safeguarding of merchant ship
ping, vital as that was recognized
to be, necessarily was secondary"
Secretary Daniels emphasized that,
contrary to a popular impression,
Admiral Sims throughout the war
was subordinate to Admiral Mayo,
commander-in- chief of the Atlantic
fleet. He indicated that on the ques-
ton of the distribution of destroyer
strength as we'll as on other ques-
lions, Admiral Sims was overruled
by Admiral Mayo as well as the de-
partInent.
Offers Showdown
Every naval order, every docu-
~inent bearing on the navys war ac-
tiVities," Mr.. Daniels continued. lis
open to the light of day, and the
more thoroughly the entire record is
laid before the peoples of this coun-
try, the greater the pride they can
have in the achievements of their
navy. The country win be entirely
treasured when matters are brought
to a showdown"
Chairman Hale said the committee
could not complete it's investigation
of naval decorations in, less>than ten
days, and that the inquiry into Adj
miral Sims charges would not be un-
dertaken until the committee had
made it's report on the matter now
under consideration.
The inquiry into naval awards was
resumed after the meeting of the full
committee adjourned. Admiral Sims
was called to resume his testimony,
which started Saturday.
Witness Cautioned
Chairman Hale announced that as
a seperate investigation Of the con-
duct of the war was to be made, no
evidence bearing on this subject
man, who directed the examina ton of
Admiral Sims, cautioned him not to
comment on any matter not related
to naval decorations.
Senator Pittman called the adj
mirals attention to the fact that
some of his recommendations for
decorations had been changed by the
Knight board, and not by Secretary
Daniels. The witness replied that his
rcriticism was not of the persons who
made the changes, but of the fact
that they were changed.
Chairman Butler, of the house
naval committee, announced today
that Mayor General Leonard Wood
would be asked to appear before the
committee to explain his statement
that the navy is a Floating death
trap" made in a speech last night.
General Wood was said to be en-
route from New York to Chicago
and Mr. Butler said his appearance
would be sought when he could be
reached.
Secretary Daniels declined today to
discuss General Woods statement.
81 haven't anything TO say &b2rt
General Woods speech" 81 d the Sec
rotary. EFF ANYBODY wants to put
him on oath and let hin tell what
he krcw= about the navy he might
be called tntcre the COMMITTEES md
lie can explain his eTIcrt knowl-
edge"
Charges of Sims
Admiral Sims in his appearance be-
fore the subcommittee Saturday
charged the navy department failed
to cooperate with him while he was
in command of the American fleet in
Euro 0ean waters, said there was
lack of policy and otherwise critl-
cized the conduct of the navy'S end
of the war. This resulted in de-
cisior OF the subcommittee to re-
quest the fun committee for Su-
thoritT to extend the hearings TO
m atterG of general sort.
Secretarv Daniels, in Letter e
ceived today by Chairman Page of
the committee. declared it was lot
he who had told Admiral Sins be-
for, the latter's departure 20" i4or-
don n NJ; rch. 1917, not 20 1t he
the British pull the wool over your
eyes" and that the United States
would as soon fight the British as
the Germans" In his testimony Sat
urday the admiral stated such an adj
monition had been given him by a
high official before his departure
overseas.
| HEALS STOMACH TROU-