The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-07-25
Sims Pleads for Publicity

Admiral Sims made a shrtwt dag.
nosis when he told the members OF the
Rhode Island branch, Society OF the
Cincinnati. that the people of the Uni
ted States know Tess about the ele-
ments OF warfare and less about the
actual condition of their military for
res than do the people OF any other
first class power; and he hit the nail
on the head when he conveyed the
suggestion that this ignorance is due
to public indifference, or as he direct
ly expressed 1t, THE reason for this
dangerous lack in our people OF a pro.
per solicitude for our national security
is due chiefly TO our belief that our
geographic iSo alton renders us practi-
cally immune from serious attack
But Admiral Sims would not have
been Admiral Sims ii he had stopped
with these relatively platitudinous
assertions. He was bound TO make
the sparks fly, and in looking about
for a remedy for the situation he de-
scribed, he did this by taking plain is
sue with Sec. Denby's recent gag
order He argued, though without re.
ferring to the order that the thing
needful for the correction OF preva'
lent indifference and ignorance is
greater freedom OF criticism by eN
perts so that the nation may really
know just where It stands. To make
his meaning perfectly plain he said
pointedly. In the United States we
mot only have always neglected to pro
vide for public criticism Of our officers
but we have actually forbidden IT,"
The admiral spoke from a full heart
and out of a wealth Of experience. IN
his time he has found himself In warm
water as a result OF his efforts to bring
about improvements in naval gunnery
and ship construction and probably
he was once saved from court martial
only because President Roosevelt
knew how to appreciate him and his
ideas.
But beside being earnest. Sims was
right in what he told his Newport au.
dience. Both world experience and
good sense support him. AS the AID.
mira pointed out the European gov.
lernments, possessing a lively under.
standing of the importance OF upto.
date defense machinery appreciate
the value OF free public criticism from
within the ranks of the army and navy
establishments. Critical statements
that would make the hair of Washing
ton bureaucrats rise in horror II ut.
tered by American officer are accept.
ed as the regular thing by Old World
navy and army departments. To under
stand this, 1t is only necessary to keep
track of the British newspapers, or, as
Admiral Sims suggested pursue the
books published since the armIstice
! by Admirals Fisher. Scott and Bacon
and by Field Marshall French. None
of these writer's mince words, and
their observations are correspondents
lily valuable. The free discussion keeps
the air clear in the bureaus and helps
the people to remain awake to the pub.
lie need.
The limitations that are habitually
placed on American officers appear the
more illogical and absurd when we
consider that this is supposed to be
the model country, and that the army
and the navy are supposed to be run
exclusively for the benefit of the peo'
pie who pay for them and have a right
as stockholders in the republic to be
certain they are being properly devel
oped and managed.