New-York tribune., 1920-05-07
Tells Senate Committee
He Can't Deny Advising
Admiral S'Not to- Pull
Ghestnuts Out of Fire.
Fails to Recall
Exact Words Used
Admits He Repeated His
Injunction in London (;
Doubted w ar's Outcome
From The Tribune's JVashfn0ton Rureo.

IRON Ihe TrtbuheS Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, May Admiral
William S. Benson, former chief of
naval operations, admitted to the Sem
ate investigating committee to-day that
ne warned Admiral Sims to watch the
British when Sims was sent abroad as
commander of the American naval
forces at the beginning of American
participation in the war.
Admiral Benson said he could not re-
call his exact words 20 Admiral Sims,
but that "it was possible" that he had
given the instructions which Admiral
Sims made public several weeks ago.
he said that before the United States
entered the war the outcome was in Sc
rious doubt. 81 had very serious doubts
as to the Allies whipping Germany" he
said.
Did you ever have any serious doubt
as to which side we would fight on ?"
asked Chairman Hale.
Forgets Exact Words
"There. were certain things coming
up all the time. Our ships were being
held up, and there were other circum-
stances which might have drawn us
into the conflict" Admiral Benson said.
"Dd you ever have any idea that we
could. possibly fight against the Allies
on the side Of Germany?"
"No, sir" the witness replied.
Chairman Hale then read the ad-
monition which Admiral Sims alleges
was given to him by Benson just prior
To do. "a, i
miral Sims testified before the commit
tee that Benson had warned him:
Don't let the British pull the wool
over your eyes. We don't want to pull
their chestnuts out of the fire. We
would as soon fight The British as the
Germans"
DO you recall giving such instruc-
tions to Admiral Sims rs he was leaving
for London?" Senator Hale asked.
81 can't recall the exact words I
used" Admiral Benson replied. 81 eau
toned him to be very careful in his
conduct and called his attention to the
very delicate situation existing. | re-
called to him that we had been directed
to maintain strict neutrality and gave
him very earnest instructions along
that line.
at would be Impossible to repeat the
exact language | used 1t has been a
long time since the interview took
place, and l did not keep any notes.
"rhc conference to which Admiral
Sims probably alluded took place in the
office of Admiral Palmcr, in the Bureau
of Navigation. Admiral Sims was given
definite instructions by the Secretary,
and we had conversation there. felt
very strongly about the situation and
probably used very forceful language
to impress on Sims the fact that his
feelings toward the British must not
lead him into any indiscretions."
81 Can't Deny 1t"
"Then you do not deny that you made
the statements 2" Senator Hale asked.
81 can't deny it under OATH" Admiral
Benson replied. 81 deny that | ever
intended that anything l said should
have been interpreted as it has been.
| consider that everything that was said
at that interview was said in the most
very friendly to Admiral Sims, and
simply wanted to give him what advice
| could
But how could you at that time say
as the Germans ?" Hale inquired.
81 probably used figures of speech to
impress on him the delicacy of the sit
uation," Admiral Benson answered.
admiral Sims says you made these
statements, or similar ones, to him m
London some time later" Senator Hale
suggested
"Whcn | went to London later in 1917
there was a feeling on this side that,
through some influence or other. Ad
miral Sims was being persuaded to give
too much attention to British shipping
and using our destroyers for that pur-
lCnniinIInd