The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-05-07
BENSON ADMITS
WARNING Sims
Wartime Chief of Naval Opera
ti0ns Says Sims Gave Wrong
Interpretation Of Remarks
HALE AND PITTMAN CLASH
Nevada Senator Accuses Chair
man Of Avoiding Will Of Sen
ate in Asking Questions

Washington, May 6-Admiral Will
liam S. Benson. war time chief OF
naval operations. told the senate naval
investigating committee today that
both before and during the war he
had warned Rear Admiral Sims not to
let his friendship for the British unduly
! influence his official acts.
Admiral Benson said he could not
deny that he had told Admiral Sims in
March, 1917, mot to let the British
pull the wool over your eyes; we
would as soon fight them as the Ger
MANS as he could not recall all Of the
details OF the interview.
The witness did say, however, that a
wrong Interpretation had been placed
on the statement attributed to him by
Admiral Sims and he added that as a
result he had been done grave in
justice. He denied he was in any way
unfriendly to the British.
Asked by Chairman Hale what in
stislctiens he gave Admiral Sims before
that officer first sailed for London,
Admiral Benson said he cautioned him
to be very careful of his conduct in
remember that. the United States still
was neutral.
Il gave him very earnest instructions
along that line, said the witness. II
felt very strongly regarding the situa-
tion and probably used very forcible
language to impress on him the seri-
BUSINESS of the. situation, but what
used cannot recall"
Admiral Benson added that if Sims
said he had been told not to let the
British pull the wool over his eyes, it
would have to go at that
you do not deny it?' asked the
chairman.
81 cannot deny it under oath,'' re-
piled Admiral Benson Il do deny the
Interpretation that has been placed or
attempted to be placed on it. | don't
think anything could have been more
confidential than my conversation with
Admiral Sims"
'sHow could you say that we would
as soon fight the British as the Ger
mans?n asked the chairman.
Merely as a figure of speech to inn
press on him the seriousness OF his
task" was the reply.
Admiral Benson said that late in 1917
a feeling had grown UP in the United
States that Admiral Sims was being
persuaded to give too much attention
to British shipping and was using
American destroyers too largely in con-
nection with British vessels. The wit
ness testified that when he was in
London he told Admiral Sims Ct this
feeling and advised him as friend to
be more careful. not only for his own
sake, but because Of his official pGsl-
ton.
ITO say that repeated the language
Admiral Sims says | used before ne
went abroad is absolutely untrue, de-
clared the witness.
~ never had any unkindly Il cling |
or anything along that line mat the
1nolatinn could Indicate He said he ]
I I tno,u that was anti-British. / don't |
thinl, ever had a conversation with
him along that line My attitude then
vac ono of enthusiastic cooperation.
ienv now any unfriendly feeling.
feel that a great injustice has been
done me that should be corrected.
,sn never visit Great Britain again as
shouh like to and have many friends |,
tbere and have been honored With one
af the highest decorations that gov
ernment can give
Charges that witnesses before the
,ommittee were being asked questlons
prepared by outside parties We're
made by senator Pittman, democrat,
Nevada. ,t;o
.;rad I'm here every day by messen-
yar said senator Pittman. The near
nps have been dragging on three or
onr months and / am satlsfled tnat
N. member of the committee or the
chairman would be asking the same
question over and over asaln un,e
hey were submitted by outside par
les" -, -,
,sked for legal counsel and it ,ii mad
,een refused by the senate, adding
hat nc had to have help in preparing /
he questions. .,;n ofl
he senate is heing avoided by the
esdins ca Of questions prepared by an
dmiral for outside parties. ehdeol
'ittman declared.