The Washington times., 1920-01-18
SENATE WILL
PROBE NAVY
Action Decided Upon After
Criticism BY Admiral Sims
Before Committee.

A complete insevtlgation of the
Navy Department, especially with re-
gard to its conduct during the war
will be made by the Senate as the re-
suit yesterday of the sensational dis
closures by Admiral Sims, command
er-in-chief of the American forces in
European waters.
Appearing before the Senate sub
committee. which is inquiring INTO the
award of naval decorations and
medals, Admiral Sims read the entire
text OF a letter which he sent TO
Secretary of the Navy Daniels on
January T. last. That portion of the
letter which cerated a profound sur
prise. and which is expected TO lead
10 the complete investigation, re-
ferTed to the orders received by the
admiral before he left Washington.
Developments Come Quick.
When the subcomittee adjourned
developments came thick and fast.
Senator Mccormick (Rep) of Illinos,
"a member of the subcommittee, de-
clared that he would seek an investi-
ing the war.
Senator Hale (Rep) of Maine, the
Nchairman of the subcommittee, said
that Admiral Sims revelations were
of such moment that he believed the
attention of the entire Senate should
be called to them. Accordingly he
sought Senator Page, chairman of the
Senate Naval Affairs Committee, and
the latter Immediately issued call
for a special meeting of that body
Monday.
1,,,f .nV NaS 1at nn ta1s
day refused to comment. declaring
that he had only partly read it. The
subject of the communication is Ger
tain Naval Lessons of the Great War"
Admiral Sims charged that grave
errors were committed by the navy in
,violation of fundamental military
principles and he cites eleven specie
instances of incompetence.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels
would not give a direct answer to the
question as to whether or not he
knew what official of the navy gave
Admiral Sims his instructions with
regard to the British.
$50 far as pulling wool is con-
icerned" said the Secretary jocosely,
"you must remember this is a cotton
country"
Serious with Sims.
The Secretary, however, did not at
tempt to disguise the fact that serious
hostilities are now on between him
and Admiral Sims. 1t is entirely
possible that an attempt may be made
. to discipline the naval officer. Con-
.cerning the revelations yesterday be-
fore the Senate subcommittee by Ad-
miral Sins, Mr.. Daniels made this
statement:
5"I have referred the communica-
ton of Rear Admiral Sims to the
general board OF the navy, with direc-
.tions to give consideration to it and
to all other communications directed
to the department concerning the
lessons of the war"
In connection with the Secretary's
action in referring Admiral Sims
communication to the general board,
whatever action is taken by that body
will possibly draw President Wilson
into the controversy. IF the board
should recommend that Admiral Sims
be- disciplined. the President would
have to summon either the court Of
inquiry or the court martial, what
ever the case might be.
Furthermore, it is presumed here
that the general instructions given
Admiral Sims before his departure to
Europe were made known to him only
after Secretary Daniels had con-
suited with the President. =
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