El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-05-10

sronsibility." said secretary Daniels
( You have heard II. One Is the
author OF these criticisms The
/ twelfth. admiral Gleaves. who was IN
charge NJ the troop ships that car
ried - soldiers 10 France, is com
mar yerinchief Of the Asiatic fleet
and ! do not feel justified in ordering
him from his distant station to tes-
10 10 I Against Him.
In considering. the criticisms Of
one Of the II officers referred to,
think It surprising and gratifying
that the verdict Of these officers IS
10 to as to tie correctness Of what
we did Had there been during the
var a serious difference OF opinion
among those charged with determin-
ing our military action as 10 what
should be done Il would, Of course.
have feeu my duty TO have decided
betws en- them have been fortu-
nate that no such conditions arose
What I feel is needed from me is
not a defence, but a clear and brief
resume Of what has already been
testified 20. You have heard long
sta tements OF what the navy did not
do The country's pride viii be
heightened by the facts OF some Of
the great things it did do"
The portion OF admiral sims cele-
hrated letter that shocked the pub
lie more than any other, M Daniels
said. was the statement that he had
been told at the navy department
net to let the British pull the wool
over your eyes. We would as soon
fight them as the Germans
says It Shocked Him
u must confess that it shocked
me-" declared the secretary. for in
all my years Of association with Of
ficers Of the navy this was the first
time I had ever known one TO make
public any confidential conversation
with q superior officer. did not be-
lieve 1t was possible for an officer
Of our navy to do such q thing
The people could not understand
how any patriotic American. who
put the good OF his country first
could possibly spread broadcast a
statement which reflected on his, own
government and might tend to dis
turb the cordial relations with
friendly power. and violate the con-
fidence reposed in him and publish
a statement which he evidently be-
lieved would damage a fellow Off
Ger and cast doubt on the navy's
wholehearted espoussI OF the allied
cause
Secretary Daniels assaIled the
manner in which the Sims letter was
made public, declaring that the ad-
miral read It during the investiga-
ton OF naval awards. although It
had nothing 10 do with the subject
under consideration
Publicity Wen Planned.
He could not have chosen q more
ostentstious and well planned man
ner OF securing publicity" said Mr.
Daniels II as he said. ne had writ
ten il for naval officers, nothing
would have been easier than for him
70 have told chairman Hale that he
had written a letter to secretary
Daniels bearing on q totally differ
ent subject. for naval uses only. to
make public which would be a viola
ton Of naval regulations and tradi-
tons and TO have begged 70 be ex-
cused from reading il But he had
Il IN his pocket. evidently awaiting
the opportunity which the hearing
afforded hin, 70 give his charges the
widest possible publicity"
Had anyone in the navy enter
tanned q prejudice against Great I
not have been sent to London, for I
Sims's proBritish .'idiosyncrasies' I
we're well known
In justice 70 the United States /
navy, Il VIII be necessary TO contrast I
the bold and audacious policies we 4
presented and urged with the delay /
IN some Of these great projects /
l0-sS- y aAu1-A a sims 2 oPPoeALloH I
and lack OF faith in the practicability I
OF some OF them by the British ad- /
miraltyI." declared secretary Dan I
isls.
This is not done in any spirit OF f.
criticism Of the British admiralty or
the British navy The navy OF that I
nation did q great work. Il did I
great tasks in 50 great a way as to I
be worthy the appreciation Of the 4
whole world They made mistakes 1
and 50 did the American navy.
Benson a Rugged Yankee.
You have heard many great ad- /.
mirals Of the American navy testify /
that Sims's attacks on the work OF (