New Britain herald., 1920-03-13
HOOVER REFUSES 70 DISCUSS NAVY DEPT. Called Into Inquiry, But Says
 He Knows Little SIMS SAYS HE WAS IGNORED As Result of Apparent Lack of Con fidence in American Commander Vessels Arrived Before He Knew They Were Coming.
SIMS SAYS HE WAS IGNORED

Washington. March 13-Herbert Hoover, called into the senate inves- tigation of the navy'S conduct of tire war at the request of Rear Admiral Sims, refused today to discuss the nGvy's policy or it's work during the war. He told the committee of in quiry that he had little knowledge of the subject.
 Allies Near Starvation,
 MT. Hoover did say, however, that the Allies were on the verge of star7 vation from April to September. 1917, and that only the defeat of Ger many's ruthless submarine campaign prevented collapse. The anti-sub- marine campaign, he added, was one of the most important contributions of the United States in the war.
 Admiral Sims who continued his testimony before the committee to- day left the. stand long enough for MT. Hoover to be heard and then cont'n'- ed the presentation of evi- dence in support of his charges that the navy department did not cooper ate fully with the Allies during the first six months after An1erica's en- try into the struggle.
 Delay and confusion" resulted from the departments failure to noti- fly him of important dispositions and movements of naval forces within the area of his command as well as else- whore, he said, adding that the result also was to create in the minds of allied officials impression that he was not supported and in the conf dence of his government.
 Team Work Impaired.
 Because of his ignorance of the de- partm ent's plans the admiral contin- ued the allied admiralties carried on direct negotiations with the navy de- partment in Washington. Allied team work was impaired and American in terests suffered as a result, he said, adding;
 Undoubtedly at times such inde- pendent negotiations resulted in direct conflict with my endations."
 Admiral Sims told the committee the first i1ltir~ation he had that he was not in full confidence of the de- partment came soon after he submit ted his first reports from London. He learned then by accident, he said, that an agreement had been reached by the navy department and British and French naval officials in Washing ton carly in April regarding the dis position of American naval forces.
 
 bIed to Admiral Jellicoe by the British representative on April 13, 1917, he declared.
 The officer also charged that with out notifying him beforehand the department arranged with the French naval attache to send ten or more yachts to combat submarines off the French coast; arraneed to establish two naval bases in France; sent nav al aviation forces to that country; dispa tened destroyers from Boston; sent 100 cannon to France on naval collieries; started a campaign in the neWspap pers for a North sea mine bar rage; dispatched the fifth destroyer squadron from St. Johns to Queens town and sent four additional de- stroyers from New York to join his forces.
 Vessels Arrive Unexpectedly.
 Some of the vessels. he said arrived overseas before he knew Of their allo- cation to his command. In most cases, he said, he received belated informa,- ton from French and British sources but seldom in time to make proper adjustm ents and arrangem ents for re- ceiting the ships. Mines and Shells Found