Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-03-16
Unsafe NaUal Code Mas
Aid to German U-BOat5,
Declares AdmlraI Sims

son on May 81, without reference to
him, Admiral Sims stated, and his
first knowledge of these arrange
ments came when he received a copy
of the regulations nearly five months
later.
Sims in Dark, He Says
LAS an illustration of how com
pletely I was in the dark the adj
miral said, az received information
from both the French and British
naval authorities concerning the con-
voy before I was officially informed
Of it by the department" ~--
Referring to a message from Secre-
tary Daniels dated June 6, 1917,
marked every confidential" and con-
tanning directions for the protection
of the convoy by destroyers, Admiral
Sims said it would be impossible to
find a more striking example of the
| departments insistence upon maxim
| decisions based upon complete Nmisin-
formation" --.-~~ go
1.-The whole scheme of troop convoy,
outlined in this message, showed a
complete ignorance and disregard of
convoy methods and of war expert
ence in the submarine danger zone, "
he continued.
. Congratulated by Daniels
T. In response to his protests, the ad-
tmiral said, he received a reply that
the department recognizes the
soundness of your recommendations,
but because of the present sensitive
public opinion considers it essential
that the escort orders for the first
convoy, already issued, be executed
by American destroyers." The ad-
miraI had recommended, he testified
that the conveys be protected by
| whatever allied escorts were avail
able. There was no question at any
time, Admiral Sims said, as to wheth-
Ell troops should get the very best
Iprotection available.
Throughout the war" he added
American troops received more pro-
lection than the allies were able tC
give their own troops on the high
seas"
On July 4, 1917, Admiral Sims said
he received a cable from Secretary
Daniels congratulating him on the
successful escort Of the convoy.
81 wish to make it perfectly clear
that I have no criticism to make OF
the commander of the troop conveys
he said such confusion and diff
culties as arose WERE due to orders
and plans given him by the navy
| department.
Danger Realized
That the department realized the
| inadequacy and danger of the ar
rangements made for the first con-
voys was demonstrated, the admiral
asserted, by the fact that even be-
fore the ships sailed he was asked to
submit recommendations for future
use and these recommendations were
| afterward adopted in their entirety
Later. however, Admiral Sims said
the department again complicated
matters by buying up all available
space in passenger ships and send
ing troops abroad without giving
allied officials advance notice.
| Admiral Sims expressed complete
accord. with Secretary Daniels state
rnent.,in d cable to him that "every
thing is secondary to having "a suf
flcient number N(of1 escorting de
stroyers) to insure protection tt
American troops" but declared thai
the department, by going over his
head time after time, made it impos.
sible for him to carry out the in
| structions with entire efficiency.
/ Admiral Sims testified at length
regarding disagreements with the 7e-
| partment on plans to meet enemy
raids on conveys, possible German
battle cruiser raids in the Atlantic
and what he called the departments
"royal; road to victory" by block.
aiding German ports or similar
measures.