New-York tribune., 1920-01-18
Admiral Says He Had to
Go Over Secretary's
Head to Wilson 10 Get
Fleet to Fighting Zone
Congress to Make
Sweeping Inquiry
Commander Told GU. S.
Would as Soon Fight
English astheCermans''
NeW fosk Tribuns
WASHINGTON Bureau

NeU York Tribap6
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-Charpes
that the fighting forces of the United
States navy were seriously handi-
capped in doing their share toward
defeating Germany through ineffi-
cheney in the Navy Department that
prolonged the war for many months
we're made to-day by Rear Admiral
Sims, testifying before the Senate
committee investigating naval
awards
Admiral Sims told the committee
that his recommendations were ig-
nored on every hand for months af-
ter the United States entered the
war, and that as commander of the
American naval forces overseas he
was forced to go over the head Of
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels anc
appeal directly to President Wilson
when the American feet was called
upon to perform serious tasks in Eu-
ropean waters.
The only instructions he received
before he left for England in March,
1917, just before the United States
entered the war, Admiral Sims told
the committee, We're verbal orders to
be wary of the British.
"When I was ordered to 20 to
London IN 1917" said Admiral Sims.
was told; " Don't let the British pull
the wool over your eyes. We don't
want to pull their chestnuts out of
the fire. Remember that we would
as soon fight the British as the Ger
MANS"
! The committee members were 60
startled at the admirals Statement.
that they neglected t, ask him who
gave him those instructions. The in
ference was that The instructions
came from Secretary Daniels, bat
Senators On the committee called ar
tention to the fact that the last act
of both Admiral Sims and General
Pershng before they left the United
States was ID call upon the Presi
dent at The White House.
Admiral Sims VIII be recalled be-
tore tfe committee and questioned
regarding lie orders.
A swcepirr Investigation of all the
charges made by the commander Of
the naval forces overseas wil be made
BY the Senate. Wen Admiral Sims
concluded his testimony today Senator
Hale. chairman of the sub committee.
announced that he adniral's statement
would be submitted to the full Com
nittee on Naval Affairs for action.
Charges Called "TerrihIe"
Senator Mccormick. OF Illinois. Re-
publican member of the subcommittee,
said:
Il believe we viii have to go to the
Navel Affairs Committee or the Senate
for further instructions and authority
to investigate this entire matter of the
attitude Of the Navy Department to-
ward Admiral Sims's mission. It is
terrible thing
Other members Of the committe de-
clared that they were completely taken
by surprise by the disclosures. They
had believed that the Navy Department
had functiored smooth'y and effective
iy during the war. they said
Admiral Simss testimony before the
committee was in the form of letter
TO Secretary Daniels, entitled "Some
Naval Lessons CT the Great War u
vas sent 10 the Secretary on January
:, 1920 the admiral told the commit
tee.
The letter critiliyed the department
for attempting 20 administer the details
Of action By the naval forces overseas.
even to the extent OF passing fully
upon pans Cor action against the Ger
man fighting ships.
+ The American naval headquarters in
London did not receive cooperation
from the Navy Department at Wash
ington, Admiral Sims declared. He
added that 'it was was ten months be
fore we really came to the aid of the
Allies or acted on their reccmmenda-
tions."
Entered War Without Policy
Although war with Germany had
been imminent for many months" .he
admiral continued, there was no
policy formulated in advance. so far
as the commander n European waters
was informed. and no policy was an
nounced until three months after WAS
was declared"
He was sant abroad with only one
officer to assist him in working out
the details Of American participation
with the Allied fleets. although Cen
eral Pershing was sent to France with
a staff Of eighty officers. Admiral