Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-05-12
BENSON EXPLAINS
WARTIME ORDERS
Chief Of Naval Operations Admits
Warning Sims.
OBJECTS TO INTERPRETATION
Senate Committee Is Told Of lnstruc-
tons and Caution Given 20 Sirrs
Before His Departure for His
European Station.

Washington. May Admiral VIII
liam :. Benson. wartime chief of na-
val operations. told the senate naval
investigating committee that both be-
fore and during the war he had
warned Rear Admiral Sims not 10 let
iis friendship FOR the British unduly
influence his official acts.
Admiral Benson said be could not
leny he had told Admir;a Sims in
larch. 1917. mot 20 let the British
iull the wool over your eyes; w
would as soon fight them as the Ger
uans." us he could not recall all Of
he details Of the Interview.
The witness did say. however, that
wrong Interpretation had been
placed On the statement attributed 10
him by Admiral Sims and he added
hat as 2 result he had been done a
grave Injustice He denied he was in
any way unfriendly to the British.
Tells Of instructions.
Asked By Chairman Hale what i'm
aructions he gave Admiral Sims be
ore that official first sailed for Lon
ION. Admiral Benson said he eau
.ioned him 20 be careful Of his con-
duct In view of the delicate situation
and 10 remember the United States
was still neutral
II gave him very earnest instruc-
lions along that line" the witness said.
Il felt strongly regarding the situa-
ton. aud probably used very forcible
language 10 impress on him the scri-
BUSINESS Of the situation. but what
words I used | cannot recall"
Admiral Benson added thar II Sims
said nc had been told not TO iet the
British pull the wool over his eyes IL
would ''have 10 60 at that"
"You do not deny itT asked the
chairman.
II cannot deny II under oath" re-
piled the admiral. ''but / do deny the
Interpretation that has been placed.
or ATTEMPTED to be placed. 0u lt. !
don't think anything could have been
more confidential than my oguversa-
tion with Adudrai Sims"
How could sou say we would -
soon fight rhs British as the Ger
manSg" asked rhe chairman.
Merely rs "a figure of speech To- I'M
rrcss on him fire seriousness OF ms
task" was the reply.
Admiral Benson said thar lare IN
1917 feeling had grown mp 90 fhe
Tnited States thar Admiral sims was
be7ns persuaded To give too much ~
teufion 10 British shipping and was
using American deStroyers too largeiy
In connection with British vessels.
Recalls meeting in London.
The witness testified that when Sc
was in London he told Admiral Sims
of This feeling. ant advised him a.
friend 10 be more careful not Orgy
for his own sake hut because of Ills
0.Iieial position.
To shy repeated tho language I'd
ns5rai Sims says 7 used before he went
Fhroad is absolutely untrue" declSzed
The witness. II never had any an
kindly feeling. or anything along rhdt
line. lie said y. knew I was anti-
British. 7 don't think | ever hgd
conversation with him along that line.
Mr. attitude then was one Of eufhusi-
astic cooperation. deny now any
unfriendly feeling. feel y great In
Justice has hesn done me that should
he corrected. can never viSig Great
Britain again n 7 should like To. and
I have many dear friends there and
have been honorcd with one 81 the
highest decorations that government