Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-13
SIMS SAYS DANIELS
'DEFEATIST POLICY
IS BAD FOR THE NAVY

WASHINGTON, D. c. - Presi-
dent Wilson was told of alleged re-
marks made by Admiral Sims to
congressman in Europe just before
the armistice, Representative Byrnes,
South Carolina, told the senate naval
subcommittee Investigating naval
awards Wednesday.
Mr.. Byrnes in a recent speech
charged these remarks were to the
effect that General Pershing was I'M
able to bceak the German lines be-
cause Of failure Of his supply organ
ization. ByrneS repeated his charges
before the committee.
II thought the president ought to
know what kind of advice to expect
from Admiral Sims when he got to
Europe" Mr.. Byrnes said, in ex-
PLANTATION of why he told Of Admiral
Sims alleged utterance.
Admiral Sims accused Secretary
Of the Navy Daniels of pursu-'
ing a "defeatist policy" This pol
icy, Admiral Sims declared, is more
detrimental to the fighting spirit of
the navy than the worst form of
Bolshevism is to organized govern
ment.
Admiral Sims declared his is will
ing to make any personal sacrifice to
prevent such a policy getting a
permanent hold in the navy.
1.-THE policy of reWarding defeat
which the navy department openly
supports, is more detrimental to the
fighting spirit of our navy or any
other military organization in the
world, than the worst form of Boil
shevism is to organized government"
Admiral Sims declared.
"By injecting this 'defeatist germ
into our navy and attempting to
make it permanent policy, I believe
that inestimable harm will result
unless something can be done to
eradicate it before it becomes Of
ficially established in the service.
81 am willing to undertake any
risk or make any sacrifice regardless
Of personal consideration to prevent
this defeatist policy from getting a
permanent hold. I believe it is more
important for the future safety Of
the country to eliminate it than
to build a dozen battleships.
what is the use of spending mil
lions for battleships If you are going
to offer special rewards for the Of
Ulcers who sink them?"
Mr.. Byrnes in his speech quoted
Admiral Sims as having declared that
the armistice had to be signed be-
cause General Pershing's supplies
failed, that Great Britain carried
two-thirds of the American troops
to France, and that the United States
ought to abandon hopes of a world
wide merchant marine and leave the
seas to Great Britain"
"I consider these very serious
charges" Senator PIttman said in
making his request.
"Sure," replied Admiral Sims, in
differently, bringing litter from the
audience.
The decision Of the subcommittee
to call the congressman before it
came after Admiral Sims had charg-
ed Secretary Daniels with pursuing
a "defeatist policy which he char
acterized as more dangerous to the
navy than "the worst form Of boil
sheVism is to organized government
"These congressman in their trip
through Europe have gotten things
mixed up" Admiral Sims said, de-
nying Mr.. Byrnes charges.
Headlines that we were doing the
whole thing were hurting US and
making difficult our relations with
the allies" he said. "I was trying
70 put them straight"
His statement that the British car
rIed two-thirds of the American
troops to France was intended to
apply only to the first year of the
war during the early rush of troop
shipments, Admiral Sims said.
His relations with General Perish
ing, Admiral Sims said, were SO
cordial that they barely stopped
short Of an exchange Of photog-
raphs"