Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-03-18
SIMS SAYS UNITY
WITHALLIES WAS
SOUGHT IN 1917

WASHINGTON, March 17.-Unity
of command of the allied and Amer
lean naval forces overseas similar
to that which afterwards obtained
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 in
vestigating the navy's conduct of the
war.
The admiral said that efforts to
direct a large force of American ships
and men by cable and letter from
a point 5000 miles away, gave too
many opportunities for misunder-
standings of messages and for their
interrogation by the enemy.
''The enemy secret service proved
itself ODE Extraordinarily efficient"
he said,
staff Inadequate
Nearing end of his long statement
Rear Admiral Sims elaborated his
charges that the inadequacy of his
staff abroad prevented for several
months maximum efficiency in the
United States naval participation in
the war. He testified that he was
unable to bring the navy depart
ment to a realization of the import
ance of his post and the necessity
for providing a large staff at the
outset to compile and digest allied
naval information and direct the
early details of American co-opera-
ton on the seas.
Admiral Sims said he arrived in
London in April 1917 with but one
aide, and Immediately, realizing the
magnitude of task confronting him,
cabled the department requesting
that three additional assistants Sa
sent him at once. Before he received
ed any reply, he was placed also in
Command of the destroyer force
abroad, and thereupon asked fol
three more officers including a
| chief of staff, expecting that the re-
quest would be granted without
question.
Requests Disregarded
The last Of April one officer ar
rived and was assigned to the de
stroyer base at Queenstown, Admiral
Sims said, but no word came fror:
the departn ent regarding his reiter'
ated requests for at least six as
sistants. Throughout June he re-
manned in ignorance of the depart
ment's plans and received no further
aid, the officer said. An American
civilian who had resigned from the
navy in 1914 to enter in business ia
| London volunteered to assist him, the
Admiral said, and this man with his
one aide comprised his entire Lon
don staff.
my staff then-was wholly in
adequate even to code and decodG
messages to and from the depart
ment," he commented, much less
attempt to compile vitality necessary
information"
In June medical officer was or
dered to his staff, the admiral said,
and about the same time Secretary
Daniels cabled him authority to en-
pIoy clerical assistance and spend
any sums needed for the discharge
CT his duties, but nothing was done
regarding the officers he had asked
| sent to assist him in his technical
duties.
In repeated messages, Admiral
Sims said he urgently recommended
that special officer be detailed to
the British admiralty to co-ordin9te
! convoy plans, but never received an
| answer. Finally he detached the. Cap
tain from destroyer and assigned
| him to his duty. :
In Small Quarters 81
eve had reached the limit of phys
ical endurance" Admiral Sims
said. eve were established in two
small rooms at the embassy and dis
| patches were pouring in on us ev-
cry day. 1 only wish that I were
capable of describing the conditions
in my office at this time.
On July Z Captain N. c. Twinins
was detailed to be his chief of staff
| the admiral said, and another officer
| was sent to assist him.
At this period, he said, continued
differences with the department were
demonstrating the need of closer liai-
son between his office and Washing
ton, the admiral said, due to his in
|
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