Evening star., 1920-03-09
WAR BY
NAVY DELAY, VIEW
OF ADMIRAL SIMS
No Criticism, He Adds, for
Work Done After 1t Began
Functioning.

Rear Admiral Sims today told the
Senate committee investigating the
Navy's conduct of the war that the
failure of the Navy Department to
act promptly on recommendations and
to place the country's entire naval
resources at the disposal of the allies
within six months after the United
States entered the war prolonged the
struggle for at least four months. He
added that it also unnecessarily
jeopardized the outcome.
b Declaring that 5000 lives Were lost
and $1OO,000.000 spent every day Of the
war, the admiral said the conclusions
from his statement were obvious.
Criticfses Navy's Work in 1917.
Admiral Sims said his criticisms were
directed at the Navy's work in 1917,
and had nothing to do with the mag
nificent way the Navy functioned in
1918. after it really got into the war"
The Navy. he said, was not properly
prepared in April. 1917. and the admin
istrative machinery was cumbersome
and inefficient
He denied that his statements con-
characterized as ridiculous" state
ments that he was attacking civilian
control of the Navy Department
which. he said, was essential.
am at the end of my career and
nave nothing TO gain and all to lose
sald Adm1ral Sims. II seek nothing
more for myself and at the end of this
inquiry will return to my post to
await retirement"
He wished to be set right in the ewes
OF the country and to refute wide
spread criticisms that he was throw
ing mud at the Navy" Admiral Sims
declared.
He said he raised no question of tho
efficiency of the Navy's participation
IN the war, viewed in it's entirety
and without regard to the time ele.
ment. and was unable to adequately
express his admiration for the Navy's
performance in the war Sin so far as
the machinery that controlled it per
mitted."
Co-Operation Not Complete.
There was not. however. he declar-
ed. proper or complete cooperation
with the allies in the six months fol-
lowing the United States entry into
the war when the fortunes Of the
allies were at low ebb.
He opened his testimony, after be-
ing sworn. by reading q long pre-
pared statement setting forth in de-
tail his criticisms of the Navy De-
partment's method of conducting
United States naval participation in
the war.
Accompanying Admiral Sims when he
appeared before the committee We're
the following naval officers: Rear
Admiral Josiah Mexican, Capt. N. C..
Twining. Capt. H. /. Cone, Com
mander J. V. Babcock and Lieut.. Com
mander w. A. Edwards. his aid.
Navy Morale Impaired.
Admiral Sims declared that during
the recent investigation of naval
awards the morale of the Navy had
been seriously impaired by reason of
the Introduction by the Navy De-
partment Of personal correspondence
from him not bearing on the subject
and naval station casting implica-
tionS on the commander-in-ch chief of
the Atlantic fleet, Admiral H b. Will
son, and drawing invidious compari-
sons between high naval officers"
His position abroad corresponded to
a combination of the duties of Gen.
Pershing and Gen. Bliss, Admiral Sims
said, although, he added, his duties
were ''of course. of far less magni-
tude."
Subordinate ION Paper Only"
He declared he was a subordinate
to the chief of the At
lantic fleet ION paper" only, and said
he could not understand efforts to
make him out direct subordinate
to the commander of the fleet
Admiral Sims attacked with con-
siderable heat what he called EFF
forts to convict him of divided allie
and being "pro-British," and
said he happened to be born in Can
ada because his mother went there to
visit her father.
Others Who VIII BE Called.
Other officers who will be asked
to testify are Admiral H. 7. Mayo.
Rear Admiral A. w. Grant. Rear Ad-
miral L. C. Palmer, Capt. Harris
Laning and Capt. J. K. Taussig. Sec
retary Daniels and Admiral William
8. Benson, former chief Of operations.
also will appear to tell Of war activi-
ties within the Navy Department.
Much interest centered around the
inquiry because it was expected that
during the hearings Admiral Sims
would be asked to name the person
who gave him final secret instruc-
tions prior to sailing for Great Brit
ain, mot to let the British pull the
wool over your eyes: we had as soon
light them as the Germans"