New Britain herald., 1920-03-18
SIMS MAKES OUT
 ITEMIZED CHARGES
13 Specific Instances of Naval
 Delays a

Washington. Mach 1S.--Concluding his long arraignment of the navy de- partments conduct of the war. Rear Admiral Sims laid before the senate Investigating committee today thir- teen specific counts in his indictment charging mistakes and costly delays.
 Reiterating his declaration that his criticisms were aimed at no individual but that responsibility for any fail ures' rested upon the navy depart ment as an organization, Admiral Sims said:
 If 1 have shown that there was lack of conviction or clear under standing on the part of the navy de- partment as to where it's efforts should be directed--if [ have shown that the navy was hampered by a lack of preparedness, by lack of es- sental plans, and by being held back in the beginning-if I have demon strated that victory was won not be- cause Of these errors but in spite of them and that such errors were only nullified by 8 commission of circum- stances which we would be foolhardy indeed to count upon in the future then feel that I have been fully jus tified in submitting my letter (to Secretary Daniels) of January 7"
 If any individual was responsible, Admiral Sims said, the fact would necessarily have to be developed by persons who knew the inner work ings' of the department during the war.
 Summary of Charges.
 The acirniraPS summary of his charges; follows:
 ''That in spite of the fact that war had been going on for nearly three years and our entry into it had been imminent at least from February ?. 1917, the vessels of the navy were not ready for war service when the Unit ed States entered.
 That the first few months after America entered the war were ex- trennely critical ones for the whole Allied cause, due to the success of en- emy submarines.
 That this critical situation was made clear to the navy department a few days after America entered the war and repeatedly thereafter by ca- ble and letters supported by ,inde- pendent advices to the government from the American ambassador in London and by NIT. Hoover.
 That the navy department sup piled me with no plans or policy GOV erinS our participation in the war for three months after our entry therein.
 That having information as to the critical situation of the Allies the navy department did not promptly as sist them and thereby prolonged the war by delaying the sending of anti vessels. none reaching Flu rope for nearly a month after was declared and 21a months elaps- ing before 90 vessels arrived.
 ii ,1fp,, foi Jal to appreciate the military value of time.
 That the navy department Violat- ed fundamental military principles in attempting to formulate war plans of operation without having sufficient knowledge of the whole situation
 That the departments representa- tive with the Allied admiralty was not supported duing the most critical months of the war either by deuuate personnel or by adequate forces that could have been supplied.
 That the navy department violat- ed fundamental military principles in dispensing forces away from the crit ical area in order to meet diversions of the enemy.
 That the navy department in the first months of the war attempted the direction of details although 3,00G miles distant from the scene of ac- tive operations where the situation was changing from day to day.
 That the navy department, in not clearly defining the responsibility and leleeating authority to it's representa- tive in Europe failed to follow sound principles common alike to the busi- ness and military professions.
 That the navy department by con-
 
 ments of certain forces within tho war area violated the funda ental military principle of unity of com mand.
 That the navy department failed to keep it's representative abroad com- plete1y inforn. ed as to it's plans affect ing dispatch and disposition of forces in the war zone. and frequently req ched decisions in such matters | through information gained from sources other thu it's representative in the war zone.''
 Admiral Sims said he was not in