New-York tribune., 1920-01-19

cautioned to perform no act and to
make no public statement that could
commit this country to any course
pending declaration Of the country's
policy by the President and the Con-
gress.
I'm this connection | reminded him
OF the statement in his Guild Hall
speech in England when he was a
younger man for which he was repri-
manded by President Taft:
II the time ever comes when the
brltish Empire is seriously menaced
py an external enemy, it is my opinion
that you can count upon every man.
every dollar, every drop of blood of
your kindred across the sea-
told him he was selected, not be-
cause OF this speech, but in spite of it,
bellevlng he would exercise the discrc-
ton and diplomacy which the confden-
tlal nature of his mission necessitated
and that his wide acquaintance with
naval leaders abroad would facilitate
his obtaining for the department at
nrst hand the information desired by
this government
N Is, l am sure. superhuous to add
That l did not use the words which I
nave quoted above relating to other
governments or any words that could
convey like meaning"
Admira! William S. Benson. who was
cnle1 OF naval operations during the
war and who is now on the retired
iis'. Is expected back in Washineton
tomorrow for conference with Secre-
tary OF the Navy Daniels The testi-
pileated Admiral Benson. and Ills ha-
ileved that he will seek an opportunity
10 be heard by the Senate Committee
Aimed at Benson Is Belief
In some quarters Admiral Sjms's
charges were said to be aimed at Adj.
m'ral Benson. 1t was said that fro.
quently during. the war the recommen-
dations of Admiral Sims were CON.
trary to the judgment Of Admiral Ron
son and that Secretary of Navy Daniels
agreed with the then chief of naval
operations. Admiral Benson's assign
ment 70 faris as a member of the In
eer-A'lled Naval Council was said by
some naval officers to be dlspleasing to
Admiral Sims: 1t developed also that
the offer of the British government to
nonor Admiral Sims BY making him
an honorary member Of the British
Admiralty while he served in the
capacity of the American overseas
commander was disapproved here on
tne ground that the honor was not Of
Tered to commanders of other Allied
Throughout naval circles and amonr
Senators and members of the lower
house the greatest interest prevailed
to-day in the Sims Daniels contro-
versy 1T was declared that the testi-
mony OF the overseas commander that
verbal instructions were given him To
beware of the British made necessary
the naming Of the official who issued
these instructions.
Undoubtedly Secretary of the NAVY
Daniels will be called upon to present
to the Senate Committee full details
OF the instructions given Sims before
ms departure, and Admiral William S.
Benson, who was chief of naval opera-
tions and directly superior to the over
seas commander, doubtlessy will be
called upon to reveal all orders or in
structions issued to Sims.
Department Split Admitted
That the disclosures made bv Ad.
mral Sims have split the Navy Depart /
ment in twain is not doubted. Eyi- /
dences were apparent today that the
entire part the navy played in the
World War is to come in for the closest
scrutiny. and complete details of the
reception Admiral Sims recommended
uons received at the Navy Department
will be called for.