New-York tribune., 1921-06-13
Version Published i'm u. S.
Incorrect and Inferen-
TALLY Wrong; Context
Is Declared Misleading
Washington Hints
Episode Is Ended
Friends Say Records Show
Sinn Fein Was Hostile
to U. S. During the War

from ne 1f1oune'S Wdshin UtoT Bureau
WASHINGTON, June 12.---Rear Ad-
miral William S. Sims cabled Secretary
OF the Navy DENLY to-day that the pub
lished reports of his speech attacking
Americans with Sim Fein sympathies,
which the Admiral made before the
English-Speaking Union in London last
tuesday, were incorrect and inferen-
TALLY wrong.'
The following dispatch, received to-
day by Secretary Denby. was made
public this afternoon by the Naval Sec
retary without comment:
Statements that were attributed
to me were not correctly quoted.
Context misleading and garbled. Re-
port Of statements is incorrect and
inferentially wrong. Statements ac-
tually made were substantially the
same as repeatedly made in public
IN America and in my book. The
Victory at Sea, and in public ad-
dress at meeting held for increasing
good relations between the English
speaking people.
"W. S. SIMS"
Secretary Denby's refusal to COM
ment on Admiral Sims's reply was in
terpreted in naval circles as indicating
that the Sims incident may blow over
without any official action against the
outspoken officer. The reply, however,
it was said would not affect the order
sent yesterday by Secretary DENLY, re-
voking Admiral Sins's leave OF ab-
sence and directing him to report i'm
mediately in person to the Naval Sec
retary.
Delayed Reply Lost Leave
Admiral Sims's defense OF his now
famous "jackass" speech was sent in
response to a cablegram despatche d
Wednesday by Secretary DENLY, per
emptorily demanding a report on the
accuracy of the Admiral's address. GER
tain excerpts from which, Secretary
Denby said, 81 have read with amaze
ment." The failure of Admiral Sims to
reply promptly to this message resulted
in Secretary Denby's decision to revoke
the remainder of his leave of absence
and order him to return to Washing.
ton.
If the Senate Naval Affairs Commit
tee goes into the Sims speech, az di-
rected by the resolution passed Thurs
day, some dynamite for Sim Fein SYM
pathlzers is expected to result, friends
OF the Admiral declared tonight. The
Senate investigation may afford an op-
pertunity to make public all the official
information gathered by naval officers
on the attitude OF Sim Fein toward the
American naval forces in Ireland dur
ing the war. Admiral Sims repeatedly
has contended that the Sim Fein were
disloyal to the Allied causes. that thew
made conditions unpleasant for Amer.
can sailors basing in Ireland and 9th
erwlse showed their sympathy for the
enemy.
Friends of Sims Militant
Friends of Admiral Sims say these
reports, which have been kept secret
wlil prove everything he has said
asgsinst the Sim Fein. They say, fur
thermore, tnat the reports were not
written by the Admiral, but by the
commanding officers at Queenstown
Ireland, who were on the job and knew
II pressed too hard his friends are
predicting that he will explode sew
eral bombs of this kind at the Naval
Affairs Committee hearing.
1t may very well develop that the
Senate committee will leave the whole
Sims matter in the hands Of Secretary
Denby. Influential members of the
committee are opposed to taking any
action before the Naval Secretary has
an opportunity to pass on the case
THESE Senator'S are confronted with
the fact that they backed Admiral
SIMS up year ago in his quarrel with
former Secretary Daniels, and they are
not anxious to appear as his critics
now