Evening star., 1921-07-05
PROPER,
SAYSADM|RAL SIMS
In Independence Day Address
Urges Discussion as Safe
GUARD to Public Interests.

BY the Associated Press.
NEWPORT, r. l., July 5.-The atti-
tude Of the United States. which he
said not only had always neglected
to provide for public criticism OF or
flcers Of the armed forces, but has
actually forbidden it. was contrasted
with that of some European powers
by Rear Admiral William 8. Sims. In
an address yesterday before the Rhode
Island branch of the Society OF the
Cincinnati. in which he urged public
discussion as q safeguard to pubic
interests. In some continental coun-
tries. he declared. criticism was rec
1t was rewarded when it proves ben
eficial.
The American people. Admiral Sims
said. knew less about the elements OF
warfare and less about the actual
conditions OF their military forces
power. adding that though this has
initiated against our preparedness
for war in the past. and although we
have nevertheless always attained our
object IN war without very serious
loss. still it must be evident that
similar attitude cannot be maintained
IN the future without very serious
risk. In q country governed as ours
Is the efficiency Of its various depart
ments must necessarily depend very
Largely upon the interest the people
| take in this efnciency.
Cites First President's Advice.
1T bekooves US therefore seriously
to recall the admonitione OF our great
hrst President in regard to prepara-
measures to insure that the public
snail at all times be adequately in
forme cd of their progress through pub
lie discussion carried out under such
regulations as to safeguard the pub
lie interests."
Washington's injunctions. Admiral
Sims declared, embodied the immu-
table fundamental principles Of the art
Of war and their application to ma
tional security" They have been in
sisted upon by our military and DO
Ntical historians. he said, but they
have failed to take hold Of the minds
Of the people.
Il believe" he continued. that the
| reason for this dangerous lack in our
| national security is due chiefly to our
belief that our geographic isolation
renders US practically immune from
serious attack.
America Never Defeated in War.
America has never been defeated
| in war and suffered humiliation or
| loss of territory. Our independence
| has never been in danger, and we have
always heretofore had the feeling
| that it is never likely to be. though
this feeling has been somewhat
| shaken by recent eventa
Contrast this condition Of mind
with that OF some European coun-
| tries. The French know what it
! means to have a victorious enemy
MI rNh 0h hat 1Sf fol t@
| territory and pay heavy indemnity.
| Other continental powers have had a
| similar experience. In all these coun-
| tries the national defense is a live
issue. The military forces must not
| only be adequate in material and
personnel. but they must be kept in
tellectually efficient through constant
training in readiness for war.
| Under these circumstances the
truth about the actual condition Of
| their armed forces is so vitality i'm
portant that any one who can point
out defect or suggest an improve
ment will earn the gratitude of his
| government. Criticism Is recognized
/ not only welcomed. but is invited and
IL rewarded when 1t proves beneficial.
| "Omcers not actually on duty are
at liberty to publish any critisism
eminent or OF any of its departments
For example. since the signing of the
| armistice books have been published
| by Admirals Jellicoe, Fisher, Scott
| and Bacon and by Field Marshal
| French. These books contain criti-
cisms Of such severity as to make
any of those which have appeared in
America seem very mild in COM
| parison-
In the United States we have not
only always neglected to provide for
public criticism of our officers. but
We have actually forbidden it.
| More than a year ago a Senate
| committee completed an investiga-
tion Of matter of vital Importance
| to our first line of defense. Practi-
cally all of the naval witnesses tes-
/ titled that the organization of our
Navy Department is such as to make
impossible effectively to prepare for
war or to conduct war. Notwith-
! sta nding the Importance Of this in
vestigation the report of the COM
mittee has not yet been made. Are
our people losing any sleep over
1 this? They are not.
THE missing element in American
| ism is that it does not include ade-
| Quate solicttude for our safety. The
government, and to a certain extent
| the people. resent criticism of any
| thing American"
| Admiral Sims expressed the hope
that his hearers would "be kind
! enough to consider me an American
notwithstanding the title that has
| been given me by certain unfriendly
critics of the most popular British
| admiral in the American Navy"