Pueblo chieftain. (Pueblo, Colo.) 1889-current, 1921-07-18

washington, d. C.. July 1L-tSy lne
Associated Press) .-Widely conflicting
views regarding direction of the
American navy during the early
months OF the war were detailed IN
Republican and Democratic reports
made public today in the senate naval
committees Investigation of conro-
versies between former Secretary Dan
iels and Rear Admiral William Sims.
The reports constitute the last chap
ter In the famous Subsidiaries con-
troversy of May, 1920, precipitated pS
Rear Admiral Sims letter, sharply
ton.
MIR. Daniels, former President VIII
son and Rear Admiral w. r. Benson.
former chief of operations, were
scored in the majority Republican re-
port and highly praised in the minor
ity Democratic report. Admiral sims
was commended by the majority and
assailed by the minority.
Senators Hale of Maine, Ball of Del
aware, and Keyes, New Hampshire,
signed the majority report and Sena-
tor Pittman of Nevada and Trammell,
of Florida the minority.
The investigat ton dates from a year
ago when during a committee inquiry
of the admirars controversy with Mr..
Daniels over awards of distinguished
service decorations, letter the for
n1er wrote to Mr.. Daniels, charging
tho navy department with numerous
derelictions, was read into the record.
Admiral Sims was in chief command
of naval operations overseas during
tho war
administrative delays were estimated
TO have cost 10000 lives and $4,000.
900. 900 unnecessarily, was sustained as
follows by the majority:
The conclusion seems inevitable
that had these delays in naval opera
peditonary forces might bayA brought
about An allied victory earlier than
they actually did"
The minority report described the
charge as "nonstrous and without
foundation" and added: The evidence
the army was transported abroad as
fast as Il was ready. that the sub
marines did not sink our transports
and that munitions and supplies for
our army crossed the water in ample
volume at all times"
The majority emphasized that Its
criticisms OF navy administration were
confined TO the period prior 10 1915,
declaring that thereafter the naval
war was carried on in such way
as TO reflect most creditably on the
naval department as well as on the
ure that II can be recorded that the
entire point OF view expressed by Sec
rotary Daniels on naval matters
changed from that OF the official
whose conduct before and during 1917
we have been Obliged TO criicise so
sharply"
The majority stated that the con-
clusion seems unavoidable that upon
our entering the war and for many
months thereafter the primary motive
of the administration was not to do
anything possible 20 help win the war
with the allies and against Germany"
but rather does the predominant pur-i
pose OF the administration seem TO
have been TO look at the future OF
the United States apart from the AL
lies IN case the latter might be de-
feated or IN case peace withotf
victory might be made. The m~-
tority declared further that we are
forced to conclude that our naval IN
preparedness, tho great, was not the
principal reason that delayed action
by the United states naval forces as
inevitably the facts force the concIu-
sioH that the principal cause OF the de-
lay was the self-defensive. non-aGgres-
sive. non-helpful policy Imposed on the
navy by the administration thru Sec
rotary Daniels
OF the direct Issues between the
naval secretary and Admiral Sims the
majority said.
We md hat to large degree TO
Rear Admiral Sims belongs the credit
for bringing abou, the convoy sys-
tenn
We find ha, TO a large degree to
was not kept properly advised as to
the policy OF the department or as to
the forces being sent hiE: tina; hts
requests were not accecA to readily
remained ion5 unanswere1> nd that he
VA not provided with an adequate
ssaff.
we md that his general lack of
support on the part Of the navy de-
psrtment greatly embarrassed and de-
layed his negotiations with the allied
naval commanders Admiral Sims was
justified in opposing the laying Of the
North Sea mine barrage during the
first few months OF the war when the
available mines were unsatisfactory
Later Sims advocated and did every
thing in his power to complete the
and that substantially all Of the
recommendation made by Rear Ad-
mirsl Sims during the first months
of the war were later adopted after de-
lays ranging from few weeks 10
y~ar."
The minority summarized It's md
Sxs as follows;
That the major charges made by
Admiral Sims, such as. that the navy
department by delays. prolonged the
goo 900 tons OF shipping. 10000 lives and
needless expenditure Of hfteen billion
dollars were entirely disproved
That the few charges which ap-
p.ared to have come Justification IN
fact-such as that for time Admiral
Sims was not furnished all the staff
he desired or needed-are so trivial in
comparison with the vast operations
and great activities of the navy dur
ing the war that they aardiy reserve
serious consideration.
That in no instance was II shown
that any or all OF the DELAYS or milf
tary errors alleged by Admiral Sims
had any serious or material effect on
the general results.
That. while no navy Is ever 100 per
cent perfec. the United states was as
well prepared for war as was any
other navy at our entrance into the