Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-19
Daniels Says Public
Must Hare Facts
Continued from PaEe One

Continued from Ease One
committee named 70 make an immediate
investigation was defeated. TIL" mo-
tion to have the present subcommittee
conduct the inquiry wa" made by Sen
ator Walsh. Democrat. of Montana.
Chairman Hale said the COMMITTEE
could not complete in less than ten
Of naval decorations in less than tcr
days and that the inquiry into Admiral
Sims S charges would not u, undertaken
until the committee had made its re-
port on the matter now under consider
alton.
The inquiry into naval awards, was
resumed after the meeting Of fic full
committee adjourned. Admiral Sims
was called to resume his testimony,
which started Saturda"
Chairman Hale announced that rs a
separate investigation of tho conduct
of the war was to bc made. no evidence
bearing on this subject could bn heard
now. Senator Pittman. who directed
the examination of Admiral Sims. eau
toned him not 10 comment on any mat
fer Tot related 10 naval decorat 'onS.
Senator Pittman called the .dmiral- :
attention to III" fact that some Of his
recommpuda ions FOR decorations had
been changed by the Knight board and
not by Secretary Daniels. The witness
replied that his criticism was not Of
the persons who made the changes. but
Of the fact that they were changed.
Sims Stands Pat on Award
Declaring that lin order that there
might be no reflection on the record OF
Commander n. W. Raglcy. capable
officer Senator Pittman read the rec.
ord of the unanimous award by the
Knight board Of u. $. NJ. To Captain
Satterlee. commanding the coast guard
cutter Tampa sunk 10y a submarine
September. 1918, with a loss Of ali
hands. lie comparcd the circumstances
to those surrounding tho loss of Com
maudcr Baglcys ship.
Senator Pittman t1cn read tho letter
from Secretary Daniels to Chairman
Page outlining hi~ reasons for award =
ing medals to tho commanding officer O.
ships sunk by the enemy.
''Thosc sentiments. If maintained.
would undermin" any military organizu
ton" declared Admtra Sims.
No recommendations tho invest Gat-
ing committee might make regarding
award Of decorations 10 officers would
cause him TO change his own recon
mendations. he added
"The committee j. not conycrsan.
with the facts and could not change my
6nal opinion ono iota.' he declared,
mo ono who did not sweat blood with
these officers during tho var would ~
competent to say who deserved medals.
Chairman Halo said tho committee
Is not hero 20 award medals. but 10
Investigate tho fact surrounding
awards already made
Denies Warning on British
Mr.. Daniels. in letter received to-
day by Chairman Page. nj tho Senate
naval affairs committee. denies II was
be who told Admiral Sims. before the
sdmiral's departure in March, 1917.
for London. mot TO lot the British
null tho wool over your eyes and that
the United States would a. soon fight
the British as tho Germans
Secretary Daniels letter 10 Mr, Page
asserts that ''at tho proper time any
fair minded investigator will be CON
yiuced that the allegations rejecting
upon the vigorous, effective aud sue
cessful prosecution Of the war, 20 far
as the Navy Department and the en-
tire navy arc concerned are based on
opinions which arc brought without
justification He further advised
Chairman Page that Admiral Sims's
letter 20 him entitled "Germar naval
lessons of the great war; had boon re-
ferred TO the general board of the navy
for action.
Admiral Sims declined to reveal who
gave him bis instructions, saying he
would disclose that TO the committee
only.