Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-06
DANIELS DEN|ES THE
MORALE Of NAVY WAS
SHOT To PIECES"
Tells fommittee AdmiraPs
Views Probably influenced
by His Having Seen Most
-Iy Shore Duty


differences developing between Rear
Admiral William S. Sims and Ad-
mirai Henry B. Wilson, former COM
5nander of American naval forces
off the French coast, were followed
by the omission of Admiral Wilson's
name from the list of officers recon-
mended for medals by admiral Sims,
the senate committee Investigating
naval decorations was toFu TINS WeeF
by Secretary Daniels.
While Admiral Sims recommend
ed young officers who served well in
minor posts Tor distinguished serV-
ice medals, and every other flag Of
ficer under his command for the
same honor" said Mr.. Daniels, me
omitted that distinguished admiral
who commanded all American naval
forces off the French coast, Rear
Admiral Wilson, now commander-ln-
chief of the Atlantic fleet
When the history of the war is
written Admiral Wilson's service, will
stand as high as that of Sims, Mayo,
Benson or Rodman."
When it was decided to appoint
Admiral Wilson commandments
of the Atlantic fleet, Secretary
Daniels said. Admiral Sims wrote
letter of protest. CharacterizinG the
contemplated appointment as a
very grave mistake indeed" the
letter called SECRETARY Daniels at
tention to the trouble Admiral Will
son gave me in the discharge of my
duties"
Daniels Reads Reports
"T attempted to correct it by per-
sonal letters" Admiral Sims letter
said. Admiral Wilson criticized not
only this organization, but me per-
sonally, including that most de-
structive of all criticisms, the i'm
pugning of motives
Secretary Daniels appeared before
the committee to answer criticisms
of Admiral Sims and other officers
of the manner in which naval decora-
tons were awarded. Referring to
Sims criticisms that his recommen-
dations Of distinguished service
medal for Commander J. c. Babeock,
his chief of staff and his every
thing" had not been followed. Sec
rotary Daniels said:
eff I had thought Commander
Babcock the everything of the navy
across the sea, 1 certainly would
have sent him to represent the navy
instead of Admiral Sims. I do not
believe in having two supermen to
do a one-Inal job
Defends Fighting Record
Referring to the record of Admiral
Sims testimony before the subcom-
mittee, Secretary Daniels said:
= Il G;
not in this war in a fighting sense
We were acting as motor lorries be-
hind the army except that we were
on the water. There was no fighting
on the sea.
Secretary Daniels said a document
issued from Admiral Sims own head
quarters in London, entitled "a Sum
mary of Activities of L. S. Naval
Forces Operating in European
Waters" contained accounts of over
256 attacks by United States naval
vessels. He added that the records
of the armed guard section contained
accounts of 227 encounters between
American merchantmen and German
submarines. In 139 cases the attacks
were successfully combated.
Referring to Admiral Sims state
ment that he had not recommended
any enlisted men for medals because
we had nothing to give them,' the
secretary called the committees at
tention to the act creating the
awards which he said made no dis
tinction between an admiral captain
and enlisted man.
1T is the service he renders, the
service in peril, and not his rank
that counts" he added. 'There are.
occasions when ship, is threatened
with destruction and when for the
moment, it's safety and protection
depends on an enlisted man and he is
then in position of great response
bility.' and if ne performs his duties
at that moment with courage and
devotion, he is fully entitled to the
recognition ofShis conduct by the dis
tingd1shed service medal"
Morale Not Gone
Referring to the bestowal of that
medal on Admiral Benson. because
of his services as chief of naval OPP
erations, Mr.. Daniels declared he
would give the same medal that
goes to that great and distinguish
ed officer to the humblest sailor lad,
who, when placed in position of
great responsibility in a time that
tested the stuff of which a man is
made, met the demands of those du-
ties and placed his life in jeopardy
in order that his ship and the lives
of others might be preserved"
With that in mind, he ordered fur
ther study Of navy records when he
found that only 119 enlisted men of
the 100000 in the navy during the
war had been recommended for any
high. honor. he explained. AS the
result. of this study as yet uncom-
plete he said thirteen additional en-
listed men were awarded the dis
tinguished service medal and sixty
eight more men were put on the list
for navy crosses.
Emphatic denial was made by the
secretary of Admiral Sims state
ment that the policy followed in
awarding medals had shot to
pieces the navWs morale.
1T is an insult to the splendid
men of the navy to say that the NOR
ale OF the service could be serious
ly impaired by any question OF
awards to individuals" the secretary
said on that point. They are mace
of sterner stuff than to be ratified by
matter SO unimportant in compari-
son with their devotion to their du-
Ties. Their loyalty is in no sense
dependent upon medals"
!