Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-07-18

CduScu ny hcdT AUIIllTdl C1H
Daniels war administration.
Mr.. Daniels, former President VII
son and Rear Admiral W. B. Benson
! former chief of operations, were scor
ed severely in the majority Republican
report, which charged many sins o
| omission and commission in naval wa
direction. These officials were a
stoutly defended and as highly praisee
in the minority Democratic report
Admiral Sims was commended by ths
majority and assailed by the minority
A self-defensive, aggressive
and non helpful policy was imputed
to the Democratic administration BY
the majority report, which also chacg,
ed that many serious delays in navy
operations resulted.
Praised by Minority.
The minority found that uniform
success of our operations amply dem
onstrated the wisdom of the policies
adopted and the plans carried out by
the navy department" and instead of
censure or criticism the de-
partment. as well as the service. de-
serves the hearty commentator of
this commission and of the American
people"
Senator Hale, Maine; Ball, Della
ware, and Keyes. New Hampshire,
signed the Republican majority report
and Senators Pittman, Nevada. and
Trammell, Florida, the Democratic mi
nority report Each report makes a
separate volume embracing detailed
review of testimony from scores of
witnesses during the naval subcommit-
tees inquiry of May. 1920.
The recommendations were made by
the majority-for appointment Of a
commission of naval Off
GERS to study and apply to the Ameri-
can navy lessons of the world war. and
for a presidential commission, includ-
in navy organization. No rec
were presented by the
minority.
Majority Gives Support.
The investigation resulted from
reading by Admiral Sims. during the
inquiry more than a year
ago, into his controversy with Mr.
Daniels over naval awards of distin-
,uished service decorations. of his let
er to Mr.. Daniels. written January I.
1920, charging the navy department
With numerous delays and dereictions
n directing naval warfare. Many speci-
ic recommendations for future navy
Ictivities as lessons of the war;"
we're made by Admiral Sims. who was
n chief command of naval operations |
'verseas during the war.
support was given by the majority |
eport to many of Admiral Sims |
harges. The minority asserted that |!
none of the charges that seemed at |
IL serious were justified or warrant
d."
Admiral Sims principal contention |
hat administrative delays were esti-
hated to have cost many lives and
$4,000, 100000 unnecessarily, was dis
ussed in both reports.
Have Different Views.
''The conclusion seems inevitable
hat had these delays in naval opera
ions not occurred, the American ex-
dictionary forces might have brought
bout an allied victory earlier than
hey actually did," said the majority
eport, ''but the extent to which these
elays failed to shorten the war is
together conjectural."
The minority report described the
inns charge as ''monstrous'' and
without foundation and added:
admiral Sims failed absolutely to
roduce any evidence to sustain this I
srious chcarge. The evidence shows
eyond shadow of doubt that the ,
my was transported abroad as fast !,
J it was ready. that the submarines /
d not sink our transports and that $
unitions and supplies for our army ! /
ossed the water in ample volume at ,
| times" :
Limits Its Criticism.
Chief structures were laid by the | q
ajority against the former admins b
alton for alleged failure to prepare (
r war and for alleged lack Of an \
gressive policy. both of which were e
MED by the minority,
The majority emphasized, however.
at criticisms Of navy administration o
IRE confined to the period prior to "
IL. declaring that thereafter "the D
val war was carried on in such a n
" as to reflect most creditably on IL
G navy department as we'll as on
e navy and similarly it Is with is
.asure that it can be recorded that a!
= entire point, of view expressed by b,
cretary Daniels on naval matters t.