The New York herald., 1920-01-19
Secretary Daniels Friends
Point Out That Only One
Side Has Been Heard Yet.
BENSON TO BE CALLED
Many Other Witnesses Will Be Asked
for Details of Department
Conditions.
Herald Bureau. I
No. 1,5O2 III Street. \. w,
Washington, ID. G.. Sunday.


Complete authority to subpoena per-
sons and papers and go to the bottom of
the startling charges Of mismanage
during the war brought against the pres
ent administration OF the Navy Depart
ment by Rear Admiral William S. Sims
will be requested at once by the Senate
Committee on Naval Affairs.
Senator Page. of Vermont, chairman Of
the committee. announced tonight that
he had called a meeting of the entire
committee for tomorrow morning TO de-
eide on the next step in what promises TO
be more sensational naval scandal even
than the historic Samson -Schley contro-
versy which followed the war with
Spain.
That the Senate will authorize the com
mittee to go ahead is regarded as fore
gone conclusion.
The sentiment OF the Republican mem
bers Of the Naval Committee is over
whelmingly in favor of broadening the
scope of the inquiry so as to take in the
whole question OF the navy's administra-
tion during the world war. and. although
the Democratic members will doubtless
continue their efforts TO shield Josephus
Daniels, Secretary OF the Navy. they are
not likely TO block the Investigation
Senator Hale, OF Maine, chairman OF
the subcommittee which listened yester-
lay to the astonishing charges OF Rear
Admiral Sims that the war was prolonged
by the failure OF the Navy Department to
give him proper support as commander in
chief OF the American naval forces in Eu-
ropea1 waters, conferred this evening with
perry. OF Michigan. the other Republican
members OF the subcommittee. They de-
cided TO recommend that the full commit.
tee ask the Senate for sweeping authority
% broaden It's present investigation of the
AWARDS Of medals for bravery and dis-
,inguiShcd conduct so as TO cover all OF
the grave charges made by Rear Admiral
Sims.
II don't think there car be any doubt rs
10 what the senate will do" said Senator
Mccormick tCnight
Cnn't stop Inquiry.
The almost unbelievable statement OF
Rear Admiral Sims that he received an
explicit official 'admoniton" from the
iSavy Department just before he assumed
commend OF the fighting forces OF the
American Navy abroad not to let the Brit
ish pull the wool over your eyes and
that we would just as soon fight the
British al the Germans" makes it i'm
possible for the inquiry to be squelched b.
he friends OF the administration.
Secretary Daniels refused again this
afternoon to comment upon the charges OF
Rear Admiral Sims. He reiterated his
sta tement of yesterday that he was hold
ing himself in readiness to testify before
the Senate committee whenever called.
AS soon n the investigation is resumed
Rear Admiral Sims will be asked to dis
close the identity of the civilian official
or naval officer who gave him the extra
ordinary warning before he left Washing
ton in the latter part of March, 1917, only
a few DAYS before the United States de-
clared war on Germany. The man named
will tnen be called before the committee
TO speak ter himself.
Friends OF the administration are care.
ful 10 point ut that only one side-that OF
the critics OF Secretary Daniels-has been
heard, and insist that no just conclusion
as TO the merits vi the controversy can be
reached until the rther side has been
heard. II Is intimated that there are vari-
Ous reasons apart from the management
Of naval affairs for friction between Rear
Admiral Sims and Secretary 1>sniels. and
that these will be brought out when the
investigation is carried further.
VIII Ask Light from Henson.
Rear Admiral William s. Benson, VIII
was Chief of operations during the war
and the officer on whom Secretary Daniels
relied most in the shaping of the depart-
ments policies, is expected in Washington
tomorrow 20 testify before the Senate SUBJ
committee IN the medal awards contro-
versy. When the time comes he will be
asked 10 shed come light on the remark
able verbal orders given 10 Rear Admiral
Sims Rear Admiral Benson was not only
senior TO Rear Admiral Sims, but super
sedcd him as the American naval repre-
sentative when the peace conference as
sembled in Paris.
Secretary Daniels undoubtedly Will maks
an elaborate defence OF his management
OF naval affairs when the committee de.
cides to broaden the scope OF the inquiry.
IL seems certain that there will be no LACK
OF witnesses TO testify in behalf of th-
when tho time comes
among them Mr.. Daniels bureau chiefs
who have been directed TO appear before
tho committee.
The astounding disclosures OF Rear Ad-
miral Sims have defeated the apparent
purpose OF Secretary Daniels TO treat as
on raEc rour, Col. Oneb