The Pensacola journal., 1920-03-19
sims ASKS FOR
PROBE OF NAVY
Wants Responsibility for Condi-
tion of Which He Complain
ed Brought to Light.
NAMES THIRTEEN ERRORS
Admiral Charges Department
Utterly Misunderstood Mil
itary Principles of War.

Washington, Mar. 1S.-Resnonsihil-
ity for the conditions which prompted
Rear Admiral Sims TO indiet the navy
departments conduct of the war can
be determined only on full investiga-
tion of his charges. he declared today
in concluding his direct testimony be-
fore the Senate Investigating Commit
tee. He said for that reason he had
no well founded" recommendations to
make. His cross examination is post
poned until Monday.
Concluding his long arraignment OF
the navy departments conduct OF the
war. Rear Admiral Sims laid before
the committee thirteen specific counts
in his indictment charging mistakes
and costly delays.
The admiral's summary OF his
charges follows:
That, in spite of the fact that war
had been going on for nearly three
years and our entry into il had been
imminent at least from February 2,
1917, the vessels OF the navy were not
ready for war service when the United
States entered
THAT the first few months after
America entered the war were ex-
tremely critical ones for the whole al
lied cause, due to the success of enemy
submarines.
THAT this critical situation was
made clear to the navy department
a few days after America entered the
war and repeatedly thereafter by
cables and letters, supported by inde-
pendent advices TO the government
-
London and by Mr.. Hoover. q.
That the navy department supplied
me with no plans or policy covering
our participation in the war for three
months after our entry therein.
THAT. having information as to the
critical situation of the allies. the navy
department did not promptly assist
them, and thereby prolonged the war
by delaying the sending of anti-sub-
marine vessels, none reaching Europe
for nearly month after war was de-
clared and two and a half months
elapsing before thirty vessels arrived.
THAT, the navy department failed
to appreciate the military value of
time
THAT the navy department violated
fundamental military principles in at
tempting TO formulate war plans of
operation without having sufficient
knowledge of the whole situation.
That the departments representa-
tive with the allied admiralties was
no. supported, during the most criti-
cal months of the war, either by ade-
quate personnel or by adequate forces
that could have been supplied i,
That the navy department violatea
fundamental military principles in dis
persing forces away from the critical
area In order to meet divisions of the
enemy.
THAT the navy department, in the
first months of the war, attempted the
direction of details, although three
thousand miles distant from the scene
of active operations. where the situ-
alton was changing from day to day.
That the navy department. in not
clearly defining the responsibility and
delegating authority to its representa-
tive in Europe. failed to follow sound
principles. common alike to the busi-
ness and military professions.
THAT the navy department, by con-
trolling the operations and movements
of certain forces within the war area,
violated the fundamental military
principle of unity of command.
That the navy department failed
DDA%N
pletely informed as to its plans affect
ing despatch and disposition of forces
in the war zone, and frequently
reached decisions in such matters
through information gained fro m
sources other than its representative in
the war zone"
Admiral Sims said he was not in
sensible to the splendid work done
by the navy at large or the various
bureaus and other offices of the navy
His statements were d.
rected almost entirely" to pointing out
defects in the administration OF the
navy department during the first few
months OF the war. he said.
Admiral Sims direct testimony filled
nearly 200 large printed pages and IL
took him nearly 16 hours to read IT,
His cross examination BY members OF
the committee probably will be started
Friday after which members of his
staff will be heard before Secretary
Daniels and officials OF the navy de-
partment are called.