The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-03
Allied Forces Patrol the Streets of V1adivostok
DANZELSANSWERS
ADMIRAL SIMS

the seSVice could be seriously impaired
by any question of awards to indiVid'
uals," the secretary said on that point
They are made of sterner stuff thar
to be ratified by a matter so unimpor-
tant in comparison with their devotion
to their duties. Their loyalty is in nc
sense dependent upon medals"
As to Commander BaeIey.
Explaining Admiral Sims mention oi
a message from the secretary asking
what recommendation had been made
for ::Bagley (Mr. Daniels brother-in-
law) and ether officers Of the Jacob
Jones and other destroyers that were
attacked" Mr. Daniels said the note
was written late one afternoon after
all officers in charge of reports had
left the department, and was written
as the easiest way of getting the in
formation. There was not, at that time
and never has been, Mr.. Daniels de-
clared any question of favoritism or re-
ationship in the matter of his relations
NTH Commander Bagley.
Mr.. Daniels said he had no criticism
of the work of the board of awards,
headed by Rear Admrmal Austin NJ.
Knight. and that its recommendations
were faithfully made on the basis of
the meager information in its possess
sion.
SIMS VS.. n, B. WILSON
Personal differences developing be-
tween Rear Admiral William S. Sims
and Admiral Henry 3. Wilson, former
commander of American naval forces
off the French coast, were followed
by the omission of Admiral Wilson's
name from the list of officers recon-
mended for medals by Admiral Sims,
the senate committee wa stold today by
Secretary Daniels.
while Admiral Sims recommended
young officers who served well in minor
posts Tor distinguished service medals,
and every other flag officer under his
command for the same honor" said
Mr.. Daniels, he omitted tant dis
tiEguished admiral who commanded all
American naval rfoces Off the French
coast, Rear Admiral Wilson, now COM
manderin-ch chief OF the Atlantic fleet.
When the history OF the war is writ
ten Admiral Wilson'S service will stand
as high as that OF Sims, Mayo, Benson
or Rodman.'
When it WAS decided to appoint Ad-
mral Wilson commander in cniet of the
Atlantic fleet, Secretary Daniels said,
Admiral Sims wrote a letter of pro-
test. Characterizing the contemplated
appointment as a very grave mistake
iels' attention to the trouble Admiral
Wilson gave me in the discharge OF
my duties"
II attempted to correct it by per-
SOnal IellelS, Aumlfal sims letter
said Admiral Wilson criticised not
only this organization but me person.
ally, including that most destructive
of all criticisms, the impugning OF mo-
tives."
AS to Babcock's Case.
Referring to Sims criticism that his
recommendation of a distinguished
service medal for Commander j. c.
Babcock, his chief of staff, and his
everything" had not been followed.
Secretary Daniels said:
IF | had thought Commander Bah
cock the everything of the navy across
the sea, | certainly would have sent
him to represent the navy instead of
Admiral Sims. | do not believe in hav-
ing two supermen to do a one-man
job"
Secretary Daniels read reports from
the depar tment of naval Intelligence
showing the award by the French, Ital-
ian, japanese and British governments
of medals to many officers whose ships
were sunk by submarines, mines Bf
enemy gun fire.
When Secretary Daniels finished read
ing his statement, Chairman Hale an
nounced that the committee would ad-
journ until Friday to give the members
an opportunity to carefully study the
secretary's statement. Mr.. Daniels will
again appear before the committee Fri
day.