New-York tribune., 1920-04-08
Navy Prepared,
Says Rodman;
Attacks Sims
''War Not Fought and Won
in London Chief of Pa
cifc Fleet Tells Senate
Investigating Committee
Plans Laid Before War
Publicity Given to Confiden-
tial Words Condemned:
Daniels's Policy Upheld

WASHINGTON. April 7.-Testifylne
to-day a. his own request before the
Senate committee Investigating the
Sirs-Daniels controversy, Admiral
Hugh Rodman, commander in chief of
the Pacific fleet. took direct issue with
Admiral Slns's charges and criticisms.
Admiral Rodman denied categorical
ly the charge that the navy entered the
war without plans or policies; that it
wss unprerared 10 fight. or that it was
u mistake to attempt 10 direct naval
operations from Washington. He add
ed that he thought there had been an
evident effort to discredit the navy.
and his impression was that Admiral
SINS sought to give the impression
thas re had most of the responsibility
Ter running the war and that the Navy
Department Cell down on the job" be-
cause Il did not follow his advice
Letter Called !ndiscSset
Without any attempt 20 avoid per-
sorail.ies, Admiral Rodman character
izsd as very indiscreet~ the Sims let
fsT 10 Secre tary Daniels which brought
ABOUT the present investigation. and
declared that Admiral Sims committed
breach of confidence in making pub
lc -an intimate and confidential CON
vevsation which should have been held
sscred."
He was referring to sims's state
rsent that Admiral Benson had told
h'm Just before departing for London
'"no- 20 let the British pull the wool
orer your eyes
Had Admiral .Sims's letter been less
irdscreet,' Admiral Rodman said,
mad II been less antagon istic, it would.
no doubt, have received due considera-
ton and doubtless some good would
have come from it.
HIS mention and the subsequent
publication o. certain admonition
which he states he received no doubt
have had their effect upon the cordial
relations which heretofore existed be-
tween Us and one Of our closest allies
In every expression of opinion which
have heard concerning it, both in and
cut Of the navy, 1t has received the
deepest censure."
Admiral Sms's status abroad was
largely one o Iaison officer, the wit
ness declared
His tisle IS Commanding United
States ns. 8 lorces in European waters
Il partial. lllSlcaQi NSt S2lQ ROCm2n.
he was in reality subordinate part
OF naval operations with his ONCE in
London. He did not personally direc.
the movements OF our fighting ships IN
tie war zone. as the public SO generally
beiieved.''
War Plans Were Prepared
lie charge that the navy entered
ti1e war without plans or we'll defined
ro.lcies was not correct. Admiral Rod
man testified, adding that experience
on the general board mad given to him
the opportunity to help prepare such
plans. These plans were later modified
It meet existing conditions, ne said.
admiral Rodn1an asserted that the navy
had many sources OF information and
recommendations abroad other than
SINS. who, the witness said. implied
TIC navy had delayed the war by not
accepting al OF his recomm endations.
The charge that the Navy Depart
~eat should not have attempted 20
conduct operations from q point 5000
nlies from the war zone was denied by
Admiral Rodman. who declared .hat the