The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-07-18
DANIELS war ADMINISTRATION
COMES WFOR SHARP CRITICISM
Two Reports From the Senate
Naval Committees Investi-
cations Are Made.
rNORTTY SCORES
REAR ADMIRAL SIMS
Investigation Arose Over Con-
troversy Between Rear
Admiral and Daniels.
ln. rb. AssoeIated Press.)

WASHINGTON, July 17.-Widely
c,raicting views regarding direction
~ the American navy during the early
months OF the war were detailed in re-
~. hllcan and democratic reports, made
r,,,lic today. Of the senate naval COM
m ttee's investigation Of controversies
Veen former secretary Daniels and
p.tr Admiral William 5. Sims. The
r.-or.s constitute the last chapter in
ta. famous Sims-Daniels controversy
RI MAY, 1920 caused by Rear Admiral
sims letter sharply criticising the
Daniels war administration.
Mr.. Daniels former President Will
SON and Rear Admiral w. S, Benson,
fr-mer chief Of operations, were scored
severely in the majority republican re-
py-. which charged many sins of omis-
yl.1 and commission in naval war di-
rarlion. These officials were as stout
~ defended and as highly praised in
the minority democratic report. Ad-
|m,al Sims was commended by the
M iority and assailed by the minority.
A self defensive, aggressive
and non-helpful policy" was imputed
Ito the democratic administration by
the majority report which also charged
|many serious delays in naval opera
/ als resulted. The minority found
ut uniform success of our opera
1 o1s amply demonstrated the wisdom
the policies adopted and that plans
ried out by the navy department"
SBrJ Tnstcad of censure or criticism
+ Nr department as we'll as the service
aseryes the hearty Commendation of
sh.s committee and of the American
hoople."
Senators Hale, Maine; Ball, Della
re-; and Kcyes New Hampshire;
i gncd the republican majority report,
lnd Senator Pittman, Nevada, and
.rrmmell Florida the democratic mi
rity. Each report makes separate
oume, containing detailed review
srom scores of witnesses during testi-
+ Hncny in the navy subcommittee in
4 bury Of May. 1920.
Two recommendations were made
,y the majority--for appointment of a
! professional commission of naval Of
! Beers to study and apply to the Amer
4 ,su navy lessons of the world war,
aa for a presidential commission in
Vding civilians, to study and recon-
pend reforms in navy organization.
b. rocommendations were presented
3 y the minority.
The investigation resulted from
leading by Admiral Sims, during com
hrtee inquiry more than a year ago
r,o his controversy with MIR. Daniels
yer naval awards of distinguished
oryice decorations, of his letter to,
'r Daniels written January Z, 1920,
bargng the navy department with
Gmorous delays and derelictions in
recting naval warfare. Many specific
concentrations for future navy ac-
y.ues as lessons of the war;" were
de by Admiral Sims, who was in
pie: command of naval operations
'Fseas during the war.
support was given by the majority
eport to many of Admiral Sims
2rges. The minority asserted that
one OF the charges that seemed at !
serious were justified or warranted |
were not supported by the facts
'5ented nor concurred in, in the
mons of naval officers who appear
oe'oTe the subcommittee"
"omTa' Sims principal charge that
"h'A'STative delays We're estimated
nave cost five hundred thousand
anu htteen billion dollars un-
,essari'y was discussed in both re-
vts.
The conclusion seems inevitable
"@u tHese delays in naval opera
.,s, "ot occurred the American ex-
.,.'"'Iy Iorces might have brought
4 l.. al allied victory earlier than
actually did" said the majority
." out the extent to which these
, -s '14ed to shorten the war is
ss'nef conjectural."
minority report described the
'naTEeS as "monstrous" and
yu. foundation" and added:
-.'''EaI Sims failed absolutely to
%''y evidence to sustain this
'uarge, The evidence shows
]l shadow of doubt that the
Ss transported abroad as fast
- .'ady, that the submarines
Si''N our transports, and that
n, -, ana supplies for our army
H., 'ae water in ample volume at
s.rletures were laid by the ma
s'.hSt the former administra-
4, '..'ged failure to prepare for {
e 'of alleged lack of an ag- /
policy, both Of which were |
,he minority. The majority /
50 however, that its criti- /
navy administration were ,
''a''nued on Page Five n