New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-10
A Review by "Quarterdeck"

kittredee. NJ. A. (calif.S, B. a. Oxford
Lieutenant L. :. y r. f.
A Review by "Quarterdeck'
THIs book is at once terrific ar
raignment and complete i'm
parchment Of Josephus Daniels.
Its statements and conclusions cannot
be refuted, because they are based
upon a truthful analysis of the sworn
testimony Of naval officers of high
rank. some of whom were counted upon
by Mr.. Daniels to screen him from con-
domination in return for favors re-
ceived by them from his hands. But
even his most devoted apologists, who,
sad to relate, had supported him sub
servlently at the expense of the navy,
came to the front on roes-examina-
ton in accordance with the navy stand
ards Of truth and vhonor and clinched
the evidence that the great navy of a
great nation had been grossly misman-
aged by the Secretary of the Navy dur
ing seven of the most critical years in
its history.
In his "foreword" Admiral Fiske de-
clares: This book shows that the
principal naval lesson of the war is
the menace to the national honor and
safety that was involved in commit
ting the management Of the navy to
unworthy hands," at shows that Sec
rotary Daniels, both in writing over
his official signature and in oral tes-
timony before Congressional commit
tees. made many statements about i'm
portant naval matters within his cog
nizance that were absolutely false"
Medals Withheld From Men
Justly Entitled to Them
The Senate investigation of medal
awards in the navy and it's subsequent
investigation of the conduct of the
war" were both brought about bv Of
fetal letters written to the Navy De-
partment by Admiral Sims in the per
Torrance of his duty to the navy and
to his country. Admiral Sims de-
clined to receive Distinguished
Service Medal from the hands Of
Josephus Daniels, for the good and
sufficient reason that medals had been
bestowed upon officers who did not
deserve them and were withheld from
many officers who were justly entitled
to them in accordance with naval and
military traditions.
The medal muddle began with the
appointment of the Board of Awards.
The majority of the board were Of
ficers of the -combatant branches
OF the navy, who had been on the re-
tired list for an average of nine years.
These men--a chaplain, a civil en-
glneer, medical officer, a naval con-
structor and paymaster-~were men
OF high character and honorable rec.
ords, to be sure; but they were. nc
better fitted to decide a matter in
! volving knowledge of naval warfare
than so many bishops of the Episcopal
Church! Doubtless, it was for this
reason that Mr.. Daniels appointed
them, instead of naming board of
admirals, who had commanded ships
and fleets in peace and war!
But after naming the board Mr.
Daniels failed to, abide by it's decisions
He changed many of the awards
"Sixty-four per, cent. or about two
thirds, of all awards to navy personnel
represented only the personal iudpmen,
Of the Secretary, while no less thar
: 50 per cent were added by himself te
the list. Only 26 per cent of the
recommendations of commanding off.
GERS were approved and accented.
"Oficers who lost their sh;ns. "A,
GERS who never went to sea; officers
who never left the Navy Department
were awarded DISTINGUISHED Service
Medals!
Favoritism Is Charged
In Making Naval Awards
"In making his changes in the list ~
+ awards Mr.. Daniels was pls,nIv act,.
ated more by favoritism than bv de,
sire to accord impartial justice. He
singled out for the highest distinctions
s number of officers closely ASSOCIATED
with his administration. On the other
hand, he had eliminated from the lists
! many officers whom he personally dis
liked because they had not been sub
servient to him and had fought for the
best interests of the navy even against
his opposition.
"Mr. Daniels's attitude sayors
strongly of the old notion of royal pre-
rogative, expressed in such phrases as
Yetat c'est NOR and the king can do
no wrong. He had power He had ex-
ercised it, What right had any one
to criticize" He had not only all
power over the navy, but his is its
only official voice. That voice for over
seven years has misrepresented condi-
tons in the navy, has deceived the
country and Congress and by its inhu-
ence on the press and public opinion
has concealed from the public notice
the nightmare which his regime has
inflicted upon the nav" BY these
methods navy medals were made moro