Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-03
DANIELS DENIES MORALE
MAS "''SHOT TO Pieces IN.
testimony BEFORE SENATE.
Defends Action in Medal
Awards and Upholds
Department.

differences ueNelopluS OStWoSA
Rear Admiral William S. Sims and
Admiral Henry B. Wilson, former
commander Of American naval
forces of the French coast were
followed by the omission OF Admir-
al Wilson's name from the list of
oflcers recommended for medals
by Admiral Sims, the senate COM
mittee investigating naval decora-
tons, was told today by Secretary
Daniels
"When the history of the war is
written Admiral Wilson's service
will stand as high as that of Sims,
Mayo, Benson or Rodman's," said
the secretary. When it was de-
cided to appoint Admiral Wilson
commander-in-chief of the Atlantic
feet, Secretary Daniels said, Ad-
miral Sims wrote a letter of pro-
test
! Characterizing the contemplated
appointment as Every grave mis-
take indeed" the letter called Sec
retary Daniels attention to "the
trouble Admiral Wilson gave me in
the discharge Of my duties"
q attempted to correct it by per-
sonal letters" Admiral Sims let
ters said. Admiral Wilson criti-
cized not only this organization but
me personally including that most
destructive of all criticisms. the
impugning of motives"
Secretary Daniels appeared be-
fore the committee to answer criti-
cisms of Admiral Sims and other
officers of the manner in which
naval decorations were awarded.
Referring to Sims criticism that
bis recommendation of distin-
guished medal for Commander J. c.
Babcock. his chief of staff. and his
everything" had not ben followed,
Secretary Daniels said:
III had thought Commander
Babcock the everything of the
navy across the sea. l certainly
would have sent him to represent
the navy instead of Admiral Sims.
] do not believe in having two SUI
permen to do a one-man job"
Cites Sims Record.
Asserting that Admiral Sims,
while on shore duty In the Spanish
American and world war, demon
strated ability of a high order"
Secretary Daniels said "the posi-
tion Of Rear Admiral Sims in plac-
, ing shore duty above sea duty in
the danger zone is, no doubt, in
nuenced by his own record" Fig
ures were presented by Mr.. Dan
iels showing that during the last Is
years Admiral Sims had served
about 16 years on shore duty and
nine years at sea.
As justifying his contention that
individual duties ashore are nee
essarily of secondary Importance
TO duties afioat, Mr.. Daniels as
serted:
On shore a man decides import
ant questions in the quiet of Office
surroundings with time to weigh
tne pros and cons, and if he makes
mistake his error of decision is
not Immediately followed by dis
as1rous results. At sea, the COM
mander. like his men, is in iminent
peril. He must make momentous
decisions. often when GOODNESS and
polse are necessary to save the
hses OF men. A mistake in this
emergency is fatal to a commander
At sea-"
With this as an impelling reason
ue secretary said he disapproved
VI tne disparity between honors to
men ashore and afioat as recon-
uended by the Knight board, and
secordlngly reduced or eliminated
number Of awards for shore SER
vice.
IN support Of his contention that
eommander Of a ship sunk or
ssmased by submarine attack was
satHied to medal il he showed
Muper qualifications even though
We snip was unable to combat the
sOMarine, Secretary Daniels cit
y e1amples in American naval his
%y and also pointed to instances
suen awards by the French gov
aament during the world war
ean naval history, he told the
samittee. was filled with prece-
u upholding his action in
m.foing the distinguished service
% commanders OF ships sunk
submarines or mines.
Is Test Of Courage.
the stilleto attack of sub
Warfare" said Mr.. Daniels
n.a not the fact that man
n..., s or is struck that tests true
rue and true naval leadership
-. question is: Does he play the
n;.lo u the man, with chivalry and
en.o only Of others and of his
10y! And has he done all that
nsiole to meet any and every
co...s o...sency! And when he faces q
IA :. ot his brother officers do they
nat he has measured up to the
tC0n&l-