New-York tribune., 1920-11-12
Daniels Would
Make Sims Ask
For His Medal
Says He Is Holding 1t
at Admiral's Disposition;
Refuses Awards to
Men on Critics Staff
Raises Bagley's Honor
ID. s. NJ. for Broi1Aer-in-Law
Instead Of Naval Gross;
Asserts Wilson Approved

From 7hc 7ribures Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.--Secretary
Of the Navy Daniels announced to-day
that the Distinguished Service Medal
which Rear Admiral William S. Sims
refused to accept has been retained III
the possession of the Bureau of Nayi-
CATION, at the disposal Of the Admiral,
and will be sent to him upon request.
if he changes his mind. The same
policy is being followed with regard
to tac decorations awarded Captain
Benton e. Decker and Captain Ray
mond y. Hasbrouck, who also refused
to accept tho honors awarded them
Rear Admiral Sims. who was COM
mander of the American naval forces
IN European waters during the war,
BASED his refusal TO accept the honor
last winter on the ground that in
Justice had been done many navy Of
acers when Secretary Daniels changed
the awards rec, 'dod by the Special
Naval Board of Aw--a
About $500 other otncv.s and men
Of the navy received decorations to-
day at special Armisticc Day cerc-
monies.
Supported b, President
The navy is not expected to use
q 14-inch gun and force officers to ac-
cep. these medals against their will"
Secretary Daniels said.
In making public the revised list OK
awards Secretary Daniels said that he
was supported by President Wilson in
his action in disappearing some Of the
recommendation made by the Beard
Of Awards, though he admitted that the
President had not personally gone over
the entire list to give his approval.
WY en- it was recalled that he announced
last spring, when the naval award
controversy was being investigated by
the special Senate committee. that the
new list would be referred 10 the
White House, Mr.. Daniels remarked
that his action in each case represented
the view of the President.
Asked il he anticipated further ac-
ton by Congress to determine whether
injustices had crept INTO his firal ac-
ton, Secretary Daniels remarked that
the subject Of naval decorations had
been pretty generously given attention
already By Congress.
The new list OF naval awards, it was
said here, viii again bring strong
protest from Admiral Sims. whose dec
inatlcn c'pitatod the naval award
scandal. The New list is not materially
different from the original awards made
IN the cases OF Admiral Sims's staf o.
officers, for whom the highest honor
vas recommended by the one-time over
seas commander Of the u .eteen Off
GERS who composed AG' al Sims
staif only seven have b Du given the
Distinguished Service Medal. while the
original judgment of the Board of
Awards and the Naval Secretary i'm
awarding Navy Crosses 10 the remain
de- stands
Another point in controversy between
Admiral Sims and Secretary Daniels
was over the award Of the u $ NJ 10
the ten commanders whose shius were
sunk by Submarines. Secretary Dan
les iAsiston that tho highest naval
det lon be awarded these officers.
and to-day list shows that each re-
celNen the Distinguished Service Medal.
Ia the case Of Admiral Sims's stan
officers, Distinguished Service Medals
%sre awarded 70 +. c. Tobcy. g. G.
i'iaAesiee and b. \. Long, who prev
oously bad been .ccommended for the
Naval Cross. Tho naval award boards
RECOMMENDATIONS for d. S. Ms for f.
Il. Schohold, Luke McNamee aad T.. p.
Mcbride, who also were on Sins's staff
were disregarded, and these onicers
We given tho Naval Cross II. {.
Twlning, Il. L. Stark ana Z. VI. LEIGH
were the o0iy members OF Snns's st4tF
whose right 70 d. S. II S was not dis
approved hy the naval Secretary. Othcrs
on the overseas commanders staff who
were awarded the Naval Cross included
". \. Edwards, J. Y. Rabcock. f.
Thompson, ~. l.. Schuyler, D. v. Knox,
Y. II. @eNton II +. YarnoN. 7. a
Thompson and S. r. Smith.
In the case OF dutch |. Cone. q melsl~
Der Of Admiral @ims's staff, Secretary
Daniels finally acceded To the Judgment
Of the Navy Foarl Of Awards and aD-
proved the Distinguished Service Medal
Tor MIN. Mr. Daniels had reduced Cones
decoration TO Navy Cross when the
toard's recommendation first came be
fore h i'm