Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-02-08
DANIELS AND SIMS SPLIT ON FOREIGN
 DECORATIONS, TOO
Ambassador Willard is Drawn Into the Navy
 Scandal

Washington, Feb. 7.-Concluding his testimony today before the sen ate subcommittee, Investigating the award of naval decorations, Secretary Daniels disclosed the fact that wide difference of opinion existed between himself and Rear Admiral Sims dur ing the war on the question of the acceptance of foreign honors and decorations by American naval off cers. The admiral. who favored such decorations while Mir. Daniels opposed them, will again be before the committee on Tuesday.
 Members of the committee read MT. Daniels highly commendatory state ments made in recommending that Admiral Sims be made a permanent admiral for his war services. Sec retary Daniels declared that he would not now make such recom- mendation as developments since his original action had caused him to change his mind. He cited what he characterized as Admiral Sims eff fort to magnify the achievements of the British army and navy in the war and to minimize the results ob- 3 tained by the United States forces, } in judicious statements contained in a recent series of articles by Admir- al Sims regarding the navy's part in the war including "a gratitious re- flection on the whole Irish race" and the officers action in having made public official instructions of a high ly confidential nature as having led to change in his views regarding special promotion for Admiral Sims.
 MT. Daniels said he had waived regulations requiring officers to sub init articles to the department before publication because he "wished to show Admiral Sims every considera ticn and courtesy" and expressed the articles strictly to America's naval participation on the war.
 "I am very sorry, now that l gave Rear Admiral Sims this latitude and that did not require him to submit his articles to the department" Sec retary Daniels said.
 Chairman Hale placed in the rec ord letter from Carlos V. Cuhachs formerly lieutenant commander in the navy and assistant naval attache to Spain during part of the war. Cuhachs said he was recalled after Ambassador Willard had cabled the
 
 Madrid newsaper had informed the ambassador that Cusachs had told him the United States contemplated establishing naval bases in Spain the ambassadors message adding, he said, "that Cusachs indiscretion is fatal to our interests" The Span ish editor, Cusachs said in a letter to him later, denied that he had ever made the statement attributed to him by Ambassador Willard. The ann bassador's behavior in telling him goodbye the former officer wrote was piece of hypocritical acting such as would put Judas to shame"
 Senator Pittman democrat, Ne vada, protested against the introduc- tionsof the Cusachs statement as not pertinent, but Chairman Hale replied that Ambassador Willard would be given an opportunity to defend him self if he desired.
 Debate on the peace treaty of the navies conduct of the war of Admir- al Sims literary ability and many other subjects consumed much of the committees time, which Chairman Hale. however, if the changing of recommendations for medals did not have an effect on naval morale as Admiral Sims had charged, Secretary Daniels replied:
 Not that much" snapping his fingers.
 "Wouldn't such policy cause some heartburn ?" asked the chair man.
 Ut might cause some heartburn" replied Secretary Daniels. "But heartburn would effect the morale of men like those who manned our ships--it might affect the people who want to wear medals and ribbons. but there aren't many of them."
 Secretary Daniels said that some ono had to justify and standardize the award of medals and that he did it himself with the aid of the Knight board.