New Britain herald., 1920-01-17
Us NAVY RECEIVED NO AID FROM DEPT.,
 CHARGES ADMIRAL
Sims, on Witness Stand, Reveals Situation Existing During
 the War
SAYS HE WAS WARNED NOT
 TO LET ENGLAND BLUFF HIM

Uh | D l1A M hN N Nh1tNID NVH
 TO LET ENGLAND BLUFF HIM Don't Let the British Pull the Wool Over Your Eyes: We Would Just
 as Soon Fight the British as the 7 Central Powcrs,'' Were His Final
 Instructions, He Tells Investigating
 Committee of Senate.
 Washington. Jan. 17.-Rear-Ad- miral Sims told the senate committee Investigating naval awards today that when he was ordered to England in March, 1917, just before the United ; States entered the war, he was in structed by the Navy department mot to let the British pull the wool over your eyes'' and that we would just as soon fight the British as the Central Powers." ss
 The admiral also charged that American naval headquarters in Lon- don did not receive cooperation from the Navy department and that the .: department did not arrive at any de- cided plan of action until 10 months after he arrived in London. He added that. ''it was 10 months before we really came to the aid of the Allies or acted upon their recommends tions.'' E Letter to Daniels.
 Admiral Sims testimony was in the form Hof a letter to Secretary Daniels \ entitled Some Naval Lessons of the z Great War" which MT. Daniels re- ceived several days ago, The letter criticized the department for attempt ing to administer the details of action by the American naval forces over seas and alleged that the depa rum en dcTnanded that it be permitted to pass fully upon all plans. even those re- garding. action against the enemy.
 When Admiral Sims finished :cltf!- ing the letter Chairman Hale am nounced that the full naval coInn.it- tee would be asked, either to cmpower tine present subcommittee to invcsti- gate Admiral Sims charges of lack of cooperation to appoint a separate subcommittee to conduct the in- quify. l afAdmiral Sims letter said that al- though he asked repeatedly that of ficers be sent to London to assist him. Inc department did not send any of icers until four months after the United States entered the war Dur ing that time( only one officer was assisting him Ee said, adding. that the department said no other officers were available for this duty.
 ''I was trying to get the depart ment to understand that I was con fronted with a physically impossible staff if I had but one aide the let ter said. .'It would be hard to con- ceive of a more complete Tnisunder- standing than existed at the navy de- partment regarding what was con- fronted with.
 Cites Pershing's staff.
 When Gen. Pershing arrived in France, he was accompanied by q nucelus staff of more than 50 officers. The term mot available" should have been appliec to other activities of vastly less importance than the command of American naval forces in the war zone."
 The letter said Rear Admiral Ben son former chief of naval operations cabled Admiral Sims that there was much discussion in the United States regarding his complaints about not receiving aid from the navy depart ment and advising him to send a Y strong statement of the situation.
 Although war with Germany had been imminent for many months there was no policy formulated in advance so far as the commander in European waters was informed" Admiral sims letter said. and no policy was announced until three months after war was declared"
 Recommended Many.
 Real Admiral Sims told the senate mi hat hn J ,l for decorations five times as many of hcers who served at sea during the 7 shore. He made this explanation. he ,, said, to correct an impression ap- parently widely held that he favored the decoration of officers detailed to shore duty more generally that those who served at sea.
 The admiral also read a letter he wrote to Commander D. w. BagIey expressing great regret that Secre- tary Daniels should ''have been so badly advised in this matt&s, of awarding a D. s. Medal to Comnlan- der Bagley.' t Would Have Avoided This. 1T am very sorry that you should be placed in such an unfavorable light : after your fine destroyer service in the war zone" the letter said, "and I ~ feel sure that if you mad been con- suited in the matter Xou would have taken steps to avoid this.
 The criticisms in the press at tack the secretary for awarding the D. S. NJ. to you and about all those who commanded vessels that D.ore