The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-02-12

of Admiral Sims for England. The
country also wants to know why, if
Josephus Daniels gave approval, if
only by his silence, to instructions
such as these at such critical mo-
ment in the war for civilization, his
resignation was not demanded.
But instead of resigning from the
office where weakness and incompe-
tency have shown themselves from
the beginning Of his administration,
Josephus Daniels is playing politics
and his followers are attempting to
shift the blame from his shoulders to
those of the man who disclosed the
orders which, in effect, sought to send
him to England, not as an ally but
as a spy.
This effort to shift the burden ii
responsibility eliminated in the Sen
ate in a resolution by Senator Walsh,
of Montana, declaring it "to be the
Senate that the disclosure of the al
legged admonition by Admiral Sims,
constituting, if given, a part of the
secret instructions of an officer of
the United States navy on the eve of
his departure on a mission of the
highest Importance and most extreme
delicacy, merits universal and unqua1-
flied reprobation."
That attempt to "pass the buck"
failed, as it should have failed. The
Senate repudiated the sentiments
voiced in the resolution and rejected
it. By that vote the Senate let the
country know it was Josephus Dan
iels and not Admiral Sims who was
on trial before the investigating COM
mittee.
The name of the high official in the
naval office who gave Admiral Sims
his instructions will be given to the
American people in due time by the
Senate investigating committee. For
the moment that committee is limit
ing its inquiry to those peculiar
methods by which the Navy Secre-
tary determined how and to whom he
should award decorations for services
performed in the war, regardless OF
the actions of the naval board ap-
pointed for that purpose.
When the disclosure of the admiral
are again taken up he will be asked
the direct question which will bring
out the identity of the man whom
Secretary Daniels seeks to shield.
Who was on guard in those critical
times is the overshadowoing question.
If Josephus Daniels protected and re-
tanned, in place of power, any officer
who only half -heartedly entered into
the. business of war, the people will
want to know what is the mysterious
influence that keeps him at the head
of the navy.
William Jennings Bryan, when he
differed with the President, had the
courage to resign. Josephus Daniels,
the protege of Bryan, and through
whose influence he was chosen for the
important post, was the first hectic
visitor to reach Bryan's home after
that official left the State Department
on that memorable occasion. He ap-
pealed to Bryan as to what he should
do, having decided to follow his peer
less leader. Bryan told him that his
differences with the President related
solely to matters of policy, and ad-
vised that his action should have no
influence upon any of his personal
friends in the cabinet.
How unfortunate for his country
that Daniels did not follow Bryan
Had he done so few Jess reforms
might have been established in the
navy, but the morale would have been
preserved.
Flank attacks to befuddle the peo-
pie and becloud the real issue will
continue, but neither Daniels nor his
navy satellites, nor members Of the
Senate or House who had relatives
in good navy berths, can wipe out the
stain placed upon the honor and dig
nifty of the United States through at,
tacks upon the one man in the navy
who realized what his duty was and
had the personal and moral courage
to do it."