Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-03-11
NAVYS MISTAKES
PROLONGED WAR
So Admiral Sims Tells Senate
Committee Furnishing What
He Asserts Is Indisputable
Evidence

Washington, March 10-Rear Admi-a
Sims gave the Senate naval investigating
committee to-day what he asserted was
ndisputable evidence that the navy do
partment fell down almost completely
during the first six months Of the war.
Numerous messages sent by the admiral
to the navy department during tho early
days of Americas participation in the
ctneict and other documents were Of
fered as .Goof that despite the officers
urgent anc reiterated requests that ev-
cry available vessel he sent to the crit
ical area of Submarine activity. the de-
partment neither followed hie recon-
mendations or infof med him of it's plans
and ro.l7ies. Six months after the Uni
ted states entered the war. the admiral
said, TIE department adopted many Of
the policies he had urged from the first
The lack of whoe-hearted American
co operation with the allies from tho
start, the admiral Sid, resulted in pro-
longation of the wa Until November
1873. when It could have bean ended IN
July; needless sacrifice Of 10000 lives;
expenditure Of fifteen billion dollars
which might have been saved. and de-
struction of 100000 tons of shipping. If
the navy department Had acted prompt
ly. he asserted the United States would
have had a million instead of 100000 SOL
diers in France by the time the Germans
began their great drive on the western
front in March. 1918
Explaining that his recommendations
many times were made after conferences
with the allied naval commanders, the
admiral said the failure of the depart
ment to keep him properly informed as
to its plans and policies was a source Of
greart cmbarras ssment to him.
Instead most of his inform3 ton regard
ing American naval plans. he said, was
obtained accidentally at the British ad-
miralty or through visiting armed guard
officers.
When he recommended that the convoy
system proposed by the British admiralty
be put into immediate operation. Admiral
Sims said he received a cablegram from
Secretary Daniels stating that "in regard
to convoy ] consider that American naval
vessels having armed guards are safer
when sailing Independently Later adop-
ton Of the convoy system he said in
dica ted the wisdom of his recommends
ton.
Taking up the situation created by the
submarine campaign Admiral Sims said
that in June. 1917, he told the depart
the C-boats was not succeeding and the
necessity again was presented "of send
ing all destroyers, tugs. yachts and other
craft which can reach the critical area
by themselves or be towcd part way"
The department in reply. he said,
stated that the department recognizes
the necessity of sending all anti-subma-
rine craft which can be spared from home
waters into active European waters and
when such craft become available will
send them and announced willingness
to cooperate in every way" and that
it would consider the question of sup
plying additional naval forces other than
anti-submarine craft whenever the ad-
visibility of so doing is justified
This reply, Admiral Sims said convinced
him that the department entirely misun-
derstood the situation and caused him
to appeal to Amba ssador Page for assist
ancc. In a letter to the ambassador on
June -, 1871. he made most of the asser-
tions that brought the present investi-
cation. reviewed the entire situation
quoted from messages exchanged with
the department. and closed with the
statement that the 1'war will be won or
lost within the next few months for "if
the shipping losses continue at the pres
ent rate il must be lost because the
allies cannot win" The admiral did not
say what was the result Of the letter.
Further evidence to support his conten-
tions Is expected to be presented by the
admiral when he resumes the stand to-
morrow.