The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-07-18
REPUBLICANS
SUPPORT SIMS
IN old FIGHT
Conflict with Democrats on
Admiral's Controversy with
Daniels = Majority Report
Upholds Old Sea Dog.
ASSAIL NAVAL POLICY
CBy Associated Press)

w WAoHlNGTON, July lS.-A diane
trio conflict of views between Repub-
licans and Democrats as to the justi-
hcation for Rear Admiral William S.
Sims's charges of misdirection and
delay on the part of the American ma
val administration during the early
months of the war was shown in ma.
jority and minority reports, published
today, of the senate naval committees
investigation of the controversy be-
tween Admiral Sims and former Secre-
tary Daniels.
Assailed by the majority for having
pursued what it declared was a self
defensive, non-aggressive and non
helpful policy" during the early
stages of the war, the naval admins
tration under Secretary Daniels was
upheld in the minority report as amply
yindicated by the uniform success of
our operations" and as deserving the
hearty commendation of this commit
tee and OF the American people"
With the lapse of more than a year
committees inquiry, the publication
OF the reports constitutes the closing
chapter in the notorious s-Daniels
controversy of May 1920, precipitated
by Rear Admiral Sims letter sharply
criticising the Daniels war admins
tration.
Charges Many Sins.
The latter, which charged numerous
delays and derelictions in the navy de-
partment, was brought to light dur
ing committee inquiry into AdmirN
Sims's controversy with the former
secretary over naval awards of dis
tinguished service decorations.
Charging many sins of omission and
commission both in the matter of pre-
paradness and in naval prosecution OF
the war. the majority report severely
scored Mr.. Daniels, former President
Wilson and Rear Admiral William s.
Benson, former chief of operations. as
the responsible administrative offic-
ers.
These officials were warmly defend
ed in the minority report in line with
its opposite view in the controversy.
Admiral Sims. the commander-in-
chief OF naval operations overseas dur
ing the war. was commended by the
majority and assailed by the minority.
Uphold Navy.
opposed to the ma aiority charges
that many serious delays in naval
operations resulted from the non
aggressive policy" pursued prior to
1918, was the declaration Of the min
ority at no time did the navy fail to
perform promptly and efficiently every
task that was imposed upon it,
The Republican majority report was
signed by Senators Hale, Me-, Ball.
Del, and Keyes, N. H., while that of
the minority bore the signatures of
Senators Pittman. New, and Trammel.
Fla. Both quoted at length from the
scores of witnesses heard during the
inquiry.
The majority report presented two
recommendations. one for the appoint
ment of commission of naval offic-
ers TO study the application of lessons
OF the war TO the American navy and
the other for a presidential commits
sion, including civilians to study and
recommend reforms in the naval or
saization. The minority made no rec
omendations.
Comment On Delay.
In supporting, against the opinion
OF the minority, many of Admiral
Simss charges, the majority, as did
the minority report. dealt conspicu-
ously with the admirals overshadow-
ing charge that navy department de-
lays in prosecuting the war were esti-
mated 10 have cost unnecessarily five
hundred thousand lives and fifteen
billion dollars
While stating il seemed inevitable
mat had these delays not occurred the
American expeditionary forces might
have brought about an allied victory
earlier than they actually did" the
majority report added "the extent to
which these delays failed to shorten
the war is altogether conjectural"
The charge of unnecessary cost in
lives and money was declared by the
minority to be "monstrous," and
without foundation the report add.
ing that Admiral Sims had failed abb
solutely to produce any evidence to
sustain this serious charge" The evil
dence, the report said, showed be-
yond shadow of doubt that the army
was transported abroad as fast as ii
was ready" ...