Indiana daily times., 1920-05-10
AMERICAN LIFE
/. SECONDARY TO
SIMS-DANIEIS
Secretary Begins Defense Be
fore Senate Naval Inquiry
Committee.
BRITISH SHIPPING FIRST

WASHINGTON, May 10.-Protectior
of the lives of American soldiers from the
German submarines while en- route to
France was held secondary to thee pro
lection of British merchant shipping by
Rear Admiral Sims, Secretary of the
Navy Daniels today told the senate sub
committee investigating the navy's con
duct Of the war.
He seemed to accept the views of the
British admiralty as superior to any
thing that would come from America,
Daniels charged in outlining "six impor-
tant particulars in which Admiral Sims
did not measure up to expectations our
ing the conduct of the war"
Admiral Sims lacked vision to see that
a great and new project to bar the sub
marines from their hunting grounds
should be promptly adopted and carried
out" Daniels continued.
COULDN'T SEE PAST
THE BRITISH VIEWS"
"He urged the views of the British ad-
miralty, even when the navy department
proposed plans that proved more efti-
cient.
In public speeches and In other ways
ne gave a maximum of credit to British
efforts, and minimized what his country
was doing.
HE coveted British decorations and
seemed to place a higher value on hon
ors given abroad than honors that could
be conferred by the American govern
ment"
HE aspired TO become a member OF the
British admiralty and wrote complain
ingly when the American government de
clined to permit him to accept such
tender by the king OF England.
"He placed protection OF merchant
shipping. with concentration Of destroy
ers at Queenstown, rs the main operation
Of the forces abroad, falling to appreciate
that the protection OF transports carry
ing troops to France was the paramount
naval duty until 7 felt impelled 10 cable
him peremptorily that such was our main
mission" Daniels continued.
CARRIED OUT PLAN
/ AT BRITISH ORDERS"
/ The secretary declared that Admira
! Sims accepted the British view that th'
| North sea harrage against the submarine
! was not necessary, and that Admira
/ Mayo was sent abroad TO press its sdop
/ tion.
After the British accepted the barrag'
/ as necessary. Admiral Sims carried ou
] the plan. Daniels explained.
Though without precedent, this gian
l project, conceived by Officers OF th'
I American navy in Washington, was car
ried out with brilliant success" Danieli
/ said.
Daniels said Sims was endeavoring t'
discredlt the American navy by "tryin'
/ TO ferret out molehllls ~ mistakes, exag
gerated into mountains."
He referred TO former charges made by
I naval officers that have been investigated
7 hy senate committees.
"Admirai Sims was perhaps the leading
4 spirit Of a small group Of offcars wh'
made the charges at that time. Daniels
said.
He TOUCHES on
/ OFT-REPEATED CHARGES.
! 'sThe American people win not forgive
Admiral Sims for disclosing the con
/ tents OF his letter to me OF Jan. T. Dan
I iels declared.
The .letter referred TO was the on'
! containing the explicit admonition Sim
alleged he was given as be left fol
England before We entered the war no
( 10 let the British pull the wool over you
/ eyes"
/ cit was either his evident purpose q
convey TO our associates in Great Brit
ain the impression that responsible nava
authorities IN Washington had suci
| prejudice against Great Britain as to de
ny out immediate and wholehearted con
! tribution to victory, or to permit any
/ critic or enemy Of the United States. u
Continued on Page Ten)