Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-05-07
BENSON DECLARES
 SIMS CHARGES DID # HIM AN INJUSTICE:
Admiral Denies That He Had Any Feeling Against
 British
DOES NOT DENY THAT
 HE MADE STATEMENTS
Claims He Merely Meant to be Elm phatic in Advising Sims Not to Let His Friendship Influ-
 ence Him

Washington, May 6.-Denying that he had any feeling against the Brit ish, Rear Admiral WWilliam S. Ben son, declared before the senate naval investigating committee today that he had been done a grave injustice through Rear Admiral Sims interpre- tation of instructions received before going abroad.
 Admiral Benson said he could not recall whether in his final instruc- tions to Admiral Sims he had said Don't let the British pull the wool over your eyes: we would as soon fight them as the Germans" but ad- ded that, if he had used such lan- guage it was for the purpose of inn pressing Admiral Sims that the Unit ed States still was a neutral"
 The witness told the committee that he had not only cautioned Ad- miral Sims on that occasion but twice during the war not to let his friend ship for the British unduly influence him. He discussed the matter with the officer first in London, he said and later in Paris. He explained that he was prompted by what he de- scribed as a feeling growing in the United States that Admiral Sims was permitting his friendship for the British to influence him unduly in using American destroyers to pro- tect British shipping.
 On neither occasion, said Admiral Benson did he use the language at tributed to him by Admiral Sims. Admiral Sims," the witness said "had the entire confidence of the department, and his recommendations were given every consideration con- sistent with the general policy ot giving all possible aid to the allies. Asked by the chairman why, if this were true, all of Admiral Sims re. concentrations were not immediately followed, the. witness said Admira Sims wa snot%charged with final re. sponsibility and the departments acts had to be based on the general situation.
 Admiral Benson said he could not deny that he had told Admiral Sims in March, 1917, "not to let the Brit ish pull the wool over your eyes; we would as soon fight them as the Germans" as he could not recall all of the details of the interview. The witness did say, however, that a wrong interpretation had beer placed on the statement by Admiral Sims and that as result he had been done grave injustice. He de. nied that he was in any way un. friendly to the British
 Asked by Chairman Hale what in. structions he gave Admiral Sims be- fore that official first sailed fol London. Admiral Benson said he eau toned him to be careful of his con- duct in view of the delicate situation and to remember the United States was neutral.
 "I felt strongly regarding the situ. ation and probably used very forci5le language to impress upon him the seriousness of the situation but what words I used I cannot recall" the witness said
 Admiral Benson added that if Sims said he had been told not tc let the British pull the wool over his eyes it would "have to go at that "You do not deny it," asked the Cnalrman.
 Won't Deny It.
 "1 cannot deny it under oath,' replied the admiral.
 s"I do deny the interpretation that has been placed or attempted to be placed on it don't think anything could have been more careful thar my conversation with Admira Sims"
 "How could you say that we would as soon fight the British as the Ger msns?" asked the chairman. 2 Merely as figure of speech tt impress on him the seriousness ot his task,' was the reply.
 Admiral Benson said that late ir 1917 a feeling had grown up in tho United States that Admiral Sim. was being persuaded to give tot much attention to British shipping and was using American destrover' too largely in connection with British vessels. The witness testified tha when he was in London he told Ad miral Sims of this feeling and ad vised him as a friend to be nor, careful not only for his own sake but because of his official position 1 "To say that repeated tn, language Admiral Sims says uset before we went abroad is absolutel! untrue," said the witness.
 "I never had any unkindly feelip. or anything along that line that thu quotation could indicate. He sait he knew that I was anti-British.
 don't think I ever had a converse tion with him along that line. / M. attitude then was one of enthusiast cooperation. I denv now any un friendly feeling. feel that grea
 injustice has been done me .tha
 should he corrected. can never wis
 it Great Britain again as I shoul' like and have many dear friend
 there and have beeA honored wit
 one of the highest decorations tha | government can give"