New-York tribune., 1920-05-11
Daniels CHARGES
Sims Coveted
British HOnOrs
Secretary, i'll Answering Ad-
miral's Attack OH Navy.
Declares Latter Gave Max
imum of Credit to English

WASHINGTON, May l0.--Secrctary
Daniels launched vigorous counter Of
fensiVe against Rear Admiral Sims to-
day, when he appeared before the Senate
investigating committee to answer
charges made by the officer against the
Navy Departments conduct of the war
Sweeping criticism of Admiral Sims
occupied Mr.. Daniels most Of the day
His attack came as a preface to his
answers to the Sims charges of fail
ure and lack OF cooperation. and he
unsparingly arraiened the admiral for
pro British idiosyncrasies," violation
of naval regulations and criticism of
the self sacrificing and successful ef-
forts" of his fellow officers.
So far as he dealt with Admiral
Sims's charges that delay by the de
partment had prolonged the war un-
necessarily, Secretary Daniels declared
the navy's war record stood "untouched
to-day and Tor I'll time, regardless Of
criticism from within or without"
As to the American navy's part in
+
two opinions at home or abroad
"The most serious charges made by
Admiral Sims are without foundation
and the others are uni justified. Upon
his assumption of what he calls errors
and small foundation Of facts, Ad.
mlral Sims has erected a towering
structure of eXaggeration and msrep-
resentation."
Charged With Seeking Decorations
The admiral, Mr.. Daniels said, de-
sired to accept the King of England
offer that he become an honorary mem
Der of the British Admiralty and wrote
comp'" ningly" when the department
declin = to allow him to accept the ap.
pointm. IT. Sims coveted foreign deco.
rations, and apparently placed more
value rN them than on honors his owl
govern cnt could bestow, Mr.. Daniels
decla' j, and in public speeches mini
mized the United States part in tho
war and gave a maximum of credit tc
the British.
Mr.. Daniels said he had always re.
garded the admiraPs "desire for Brit
ish honors" as love of glitter an(
foreign decorations,' although he dis
approved of it officially and privately.
Admiral SINS did not wholly measure
up to expectations during the war. Mr.
Daniels told the committee. He emu
merated six points in this respect, in
cluding charges that the officer placcc
too great stress on the Importance Of
protecting cargo vessels and had faile;
to appreciate that the protection o.
American soldiers en- route to France
was the navy's paramount mission.
Says Admiral Lacked Vision
The Secretary also sad Admiral Sim:
had lacked vision to appreciate the
Navy Departments North Sea mine
barrage project to bottle up the Ger
man submarines Finally Admiral Mayo
had to be sent abroad to obtain thu
British Admiralty's cooperation in TIL,
plan, Mr.. Daniels asserted.
Secretary Daniels scored Admira
Sims for having made public his let
ter, entitled "Some Naval Lessons OF
the World War;" which brought abou,
the investigation. The letter ncve,
should have been made public unit
the General Board had passed on IT
he said. adding that Admiral Sim:
could not have chosen more osten-
tatious and we'll planned manner @.
securing publicity"
The fact that not one life was lost r
transporting the army 20 France wa:
answer to most of the criticisms hearc
by the committee" Mr. Daniels dc
clared, and added that had he knowr
facts developed during the investiga
tion he would not have recommended
Sims to Congress for life commission
as full admiral
Referring 70 the Sims cheYse t:.~
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