The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-22
.ANTI-BRITISH
. THREAT LAID
TO admiral.

WASHINGTON, March 22.--Rear
Admiral William $. Benson. then CHIEF
OF naval operations, was the official
who told Rear Admiral Sims mot 10 let
the British pull the wool over your
eyes; we would as soon fight them ae
the Germans" Admiral Sims testified
today before the senate committee In
vestigating the navy's conduct o. the
war
Admiral Sims said the remark was
made lust after he had received his ~
nal Instructions from Secretary Daniel6
preparatory TO his departure Tor Eng
land on the eve OF the entry OF tina
United States into the war. He added
however, that Il was not made ~ tn@
course Of formal instructions but DUR
ing a conversation in the office o.
Rear Admiral Palmer, chief OF the bu~
reau OF investigation.
The witness told the committee that
Admiral Benson repeated his admoni-
ton during a conversation the follow
ing day and that he made the same
remark six months later in Paris. Ad-
miral Sims said he did not pay par
tiCular attention to the statement Al
that time because he believed Admiral
Benson was intensely anti British. He
added that this belief was entertained
generally throughout the service.
An aide recently called hts attention
to the remark. the admiral said. ana
Admiral Palmer also told him he re-
membered hearing Admiral Benson
make the statement.
Is Reluctant.
The witness was reluctant TO give the
name OF the officer, but Chairman Hale
insisted
Then will tell you the whole
story" said Admiral Sims Early IN
April 1917 was ordered from my post
At Newport TO Washington. When
arrived | reported to the navy departs
ment by telephone and was told not 70
touch with the chief OF the bureau Of
navigation, Rear Admiral Leigh g.
Palmer Everything was very secret,
the way they liked it. ! could not get
In touch with the chief OF navigation
| then and so ! reported to him later az
| the department then had an interview
with the secretary Of the navy IN hie
office. No one else was present aH \
remember Il. The interview was very
brief | was told that ! was going
abroad to confer with the allied adj
| miralties and that Ambassador Page
| had requested that an officer Of high
| rank be sent there for that purpose
| After leaving Secretary Daniels OFFICES
or just before going there, ! don't FR~
| member which, | went 10 the bureau II
| navigation. The admiral was there and
| II was NJ that time that tha remark
\ AlAS NnahAi<Ah hAS &DhN1 saw %SSfsN~ Nv M.
| made,
WHOM do You refer ID Az 'the Ad-
| miral,'" asked Chairman Hale.
| Admiral Sims said he did not wish
10 indulge In personalities, but when
pressed BY Chairman Hale he said ne
| referred to Admiral Benson.
| Admiral Sims said he included Adj
miral Benson's remark In his letter TO
| Secretary Daniels on Jan. regarding
| the nayys part in the war because A
a man has a prejudice against men
| fighting alongside OF him II has an
unconscious influence on him."
Senator Pittman brought ont thar
Admiral Sims had shown copy Of his
| New York, while he was a guest AZ
Mr.. Dayison's home about the middle
| of January The officer could not re-
/ call the date, but said his aide thought
| ii was ON Jan. IA. He admitted that
| showing the letter was ian tndiscre~
| ton"
| Senator Pittman and Chairman Hale
| clashed sharply over the form In which
/ the Nevada senator put some OF his
| questions. the chairman insisting that
| Senator Pittman confine his questions
to the text of Admiral Sims direct
| testimony.
Senator Hale said. 'and we viii nave
mo will not tolerate any" said
| Senator Pittman. II have realised
| that you we're going to try TO break zp
| this cross examination"
| Admiral Sims interrupted to say that
| he welcomed the Observation-Disclosures
that his one desire was TO bring out AL
| the facts.