Evening star., 1920-01-19

lection of Rear Admiral Henry B.
Wilson, who had been in command
OF naval operations Off the coast OF
france. where the great bulk OF
American troops were safely landed
during the most destructive activi ties
Of submarines. But the Navy De-
partment didn't listen to Admiral
Sims objections to Admiral Wilson.
whom he charged with being a poor
subordinate. Moreover, there was
considerable friction between Admiral
Sims and Admiral Benson, chief OF
naval operations. who went to France
with the American war mission.
Bitter Feeling in Navy.
There is a good deal of bitter feel
ing in naval ciroaes over Admiral
Sims activities, and far from being
Secretary of the Navy by the profes-
sional naval men. this controversy
runs deep into naval ethics, naval
jealousies and naval personalities
For instance, resentment has never
disappeared over the statement is
sued by Admiral Sims to the general
effect that it was the British navy
that got our troops to Europe safely
Admiral Cleaves felt compelled to ls-
sue a statement giving the exact hg-
ureS. and while it is true that the
British merchant marine, which hao
always been larger than ours, carried
As per cent Of our troops to Europe
the United States ships carried 46 pei
cent. But as far as actually getting
our troops safely to Europe is con-
cerned, the impression left on the pub.
lie mind by Admiral Sims statement
was that the British deStroyers an6
naval vessels actually conveyed more
American troops than did our owl
destroyers. The official figures show
hat NrIx American fYOOD!
went to Europe under British escort
while 1.720,36 went under the escor
of the United States Navy. The pro
portions are 81 per cent under amer
lean escort, IA per cent under Britlsi
escort and per cent under frenci
escort.
Nobody in the Navy Department Il
inclined to dfscredit the work of Ad
miral Sims abroad, for while he wal
ashore all the time and men llk'
Gleaves. Wilson, Mayo. Benson ant
others had tasks of the same impor
tance. the feeling is that AdmiIa is,
Sims had an especially delicate Jo'
in fraternizing with the British ad
miralty, where a supposed disposition
to look upon the American Navy al
an inexperienced outfit, amateurisl
and crude, often ruffied the pride o
American naval officers.
Other Points On Map.
There is one thing in Admiral Sims
charges that will bring out an inter
esting phase of the war. While Ad
miral Sims was asking for more YES
sells the Navy Department was an
swering the pleas of the British ant
French on this side that the Unite'
States take over Central and Soutl
American waters and thus relieve tn
British and French warshipS for serv
ice on the other side While the offic
of chief of naval operations in Wash
ington was anxious to do all it coul'
to grant the requests Of Admira
Sims in London. it had at the sam
time other points on the map to lool
after.
1t had to keep in the closest touc
with what was going on at Bres
and off the coast of France, and wit
actual naval opera tions, as these wer
not managed from London at all. bu
our destroyers and our battleship
were under the direct command G
admirals of the British navy at Sc;
The Iamentable part of the contro
versy is that while it rehearses tn
mistakes or lessons" of the war,
begins to focus attention anew o
past history and diverts again tn
minds of the legislative branch of tn
government from the most importan
of all duties, namely the establish
ment of Americas influence in tn
council of nations SO that wars ma
become thing of the past. AS Phi
Gibbs cabled from London the othe
day, the military and naval men owe
there, and doubtless over here, ar
| not yet ready ito get the smell o
| blood out of their nostrils."
Copyright, 192O.)