Evening star., 1920-03-17
UNITY Of COMMAND
URGED BY ADMIRAL
WAS NOT APPROVED
Sims Says Inadequacy of His
Staff Also Prevented Maxi
mum Efficiency.

Unity Of command of the'allied and
American naval forces overseas simi-
lar to that which afterward obtain
ed on the western front was recon-
mended by him to the Navy Depart
ment as early as July. 1917. but was
not approved, Rear Admiral Sims to-
day told the Senate committee inves-
tigating the Navy's conduct of the
war.
The admiral said that efforts to di-
| rect large force of American ships
and men by cable and letter from a
point 5000 miles away gave too many
opportunities for misunderstandings
of messages and for their intercept
tion by the enemy.
The enemy secret service proved
itself to be extraordinarily efiicient."
he said.
In his letter recomm nding that
naval authority be concentrated at
London, Admiral Sims said it was un-
questionable that efficiency would be
greatly improved il any one Of the
allies were selected to direct all op-
erations. The others merely keeping
| the one selected fully informed Of their
resources available"
Il realize that my position in Lon
don renders me open to suspicion that
| may be unduly influenced by the
ladmiral's letter stated. 1T should not
be necessary to state. however. that /
have done everything within my abil
ity to maintain a broad viewpoint"
Elaborates Charges.
Admiral Sims elaborated his charges
that the inadequacy of his staff
abroad prevented for several months
| maximum efficiency in the United
&C., s<ysy, t. h.
| He testified that he was unable to
bring the Navy Department to a re-
alization of the importance Of his
post and the necessity for providing
| a large staff at the outset to COM
pile and digest allied naval informa-
American cooperation on the seas
Admiral Sims said he arrived In
London in April. 1917, with but one
aid. and Immediately realizing the
magnitude of the task confronting
him, cabled the department request
be sent him at once. Before he re-
| ceived any reply he was placed also
| in command Of the destroyer force
abroad. and thereupon asked for
| three moro officers, including chief
| of staff, expecting that the request
would be granted without question.
Remains Ignorant Of Plans.
| The last of April one officer ar
rived and was assigned to the de-
Sims said but no word came from
| the department regarding his reit-
| Grated requests for at least six as
| sistants. Throughout June he remain
ed in ignorance Of the departments
plans and received no further aid. the
officer said. An American civilian.
| who had resigned from the Navy In
1914 to enter business in London, vol
unteered to assist him. the admiral
said, and this man with his one aid
comprised his entire London stan; TAM,
my staff then was wholly inade-
ouate even to code and decode mes
| sages to and from the department,
he commented. much less attempt TO
compile vitality necessary informa-
| ton"
| dered to his STAFF. the admiral said.
and about the same time Secretary
Daniels cabled him authority to en-
| ploy clerical assistance and spend any
! sums needed for the discharge OF MS
! duties. but nothing was done regard
| ing the officers he had asked sent TO
| assist him in his technical duties.
Repeated His Messages.
| Tn reneated messages. Admiral Sims
said he urgently recommended tnat
special officer be detailed TO the
British admiralty to co-ordlnate CON
voy plans. but never received an an
swer. Finally he detached the cap
| tain from q destroyer and assigned
1--WE had reached the limit OF phys
;cai endurance" Admiral Sims said;
! 1--WE were established in two small
rooms at the embassy and dispatches
pouring in on srs US csUsSIe syely oay az de-
scribine the conditions in my once
at this time.
detailed to be his chief OF stan the
admiral said and S another At tSis omces period T
he said. continual differences win
the department were demons.sa'ihnss .na ing
! ONCE and Washington. the admire,
| said. due to his inability .ae TO sema en- anu
| throughout July he continuany
warned the department that TROOP
! conyovs were being endangered py
lack Of proper assistance abroad. tne
admiral said and protested agains.
the departments inclination TO seho
him Young and inexperienced omcers
and keep the older ones IN h''"'
far