The Washington times., 1920-02-07
Secretary Denies Britain's Offer
Of Medals Spurred
Morale of Men.
SIMS BEllTTlED YANKS
Navy Leader Now Doubts Wis
dom Of Recommending Ad.
miraI's Promotion.
International News Service.

International News Service.
Evidence aimed to show that Ad-
miral Sims was pro-British was
presented to the Senate subcommit-
tee investigating medal awards by
Secretary of the Navy Daniels today.
Secretary Daniels sal dhe would
not have recommended Admiral
Sims for q permanent rank of ad-
mirai had 1 know conditions which
I now know"
Reads Statement to Byrnes.
He read a statement by Congress
man Byrnes, Democrat North Caro-
lima. in which Sims was quoted as
saying that Sims told him (Byrnes)
that Pershing was unable to break
through the German lines and that
the United States navy bad done li.-.
tie to combat the submarine" He
said a United States officer of the
army had told Byrnes that only Adj
miral Sims would have made the
statement which was British propa-
ganda-"
Daniels gave as second reason
why he would change his recommen-
dation the statement attributed to
Sims that "the United States should
not develop a merchant marine as 1t
should be controlled by Great Britain
because of geographical positions"
"The third reason is based on Sims
writings in a current magazine" Dan
iels said.
Hesitnted On Promotion.
Daniels said he hesitated q long
time before he made the original rec
ommendation for Sims.
"Some of us wondered why you did
not include Admiral Mayo In your
recommendation" Senator Mccormick
said.
II would have liked to-" Daniels
said.
Returning to Admiral Sims, DAN
iels said he had sent Sims ION the
most confidential mission to which
naval officer ever had been assigned.
1--WE were not at war with any per-
son. We were not able to say VINO
was our enemy" Daniels said.
Before we received reports from
Sims we declared war. Then we con-
ferred with the British and French
admirals to find what We could do
first to aid" Daniels said. 'They told
us to guard our coast against subma-
rine raiders. This we agreed to do.
We also agreed to send our destroy
ers to the British waters to fight the
sumarine.
Sent ships to Fight Subs.
I'VE were so determined to combat
the submarine that we sent thirty
six destroyers. This stripped our
feet of destroyers on this side.
admiral Sims might have the view
based on conditions where he was.
Admirals Mayo and Benson had a
broad general view. Admirals of the
navy and foreign representatives will
support the program or the Depart
ment."
Senator Poindexter said the depart
ment could not get ships over be
cause Ford did not deliver them"
Ford did not have a contract at
that time" Daniels said. He re-
ceived chat contract later"
"And finished the ships later"
Poindexter added. "Only two were
ready when the war ended
Ford Built boats Fast.
Ford built the Eagle boats faster
than any boats of that class had been
built in the history Of the world,
Daniels said.
senator Poindexter left this subject
and asked why Representative byrnes
was In France.
81 do not know Daniels said.
about two-thirds OF Congress went
over"
"Do you know what good any mem
Der of Congress did In FranceT
Poindexter asked.
"Yes, the Naval Affairs Committee
OF the House went over and their
visit aided them In forming legisla-
tion,r Daniels said.
Poindexter asked Daniels IL he has
not advocated the leaving of the
seas TO Great Britain by disarma-
ment."
son the contrary, have advocated
the league OF nations through which
a mobile force of the sea should be
created to which the United states
should contribute it's part IL we are
not to have a league then we must
have the greatest sea force in the
world" Daniels said.
| 4. Debate On League.
| A debate on the virtues OF the league
of nations between Poindexter and
Daniels followed.
Senator Poindcxter asked why Tic
srmistice was signed at the point
OF victpry7"
Senator PittmAn said the commspa-