New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-06-24
DENLY to 7 AXE
Action TODAY
On Sims Case
Admiral Has Two-Minute
Conference With NAVY
Secretary and Gives Writ
len Report ON Speech
No Anxiety Manifested
Misquoted Is Explanation
Made by Recalled Officer
to Superior's Queries

From The Tribwae's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, June 23.-Rear Ad-
mlral William S. Sims's written ex-
planation of his "jackass" speech in
London, which preciptated the revoca-
tloh of his leave of absence, was laid
before Secretary of the Navy Denby
to-day after two-mnute conference
between the Admiral and his chief.
Secretary DENLY will decide def
nlteiy tomorrow what action he will
take on the explanation. Meanwhile
Admiral Sims is under orders to remain
IN Washington. He will see the Naval
Secretary tomorrow and be Informed
whether he committed any infraction
of naval regulations by his speech,
which created such torrent of favor
able comment from American adm;rers
ct the Admiral and denunciation from
sympathizers with the Sim Fein.
Misquoted, Sims Declares
Admiral Sims told Secretary Denbv
at their brief conference to-day that
he had been misquoted in press dis
patches of his speech, and that his re-
marks were no more emphatic against
the Sim Fein than many observations
he made in his book and in speeches he
had given in this country Secretary
Derby countered by presenting the Ad-
mlral with written order to submit
his explanation in writing. This was
done later in the day.
After the brief interview Secretary
DENLY refused to comment on Admiral
Slms's explanation beyond the follow
ing statement:
Admiral Sims denied the accuracy
OF the statements attributed to him.
He stated that he was incorrectly
quoted. / gave him a written memo
randum setting forth these statements
and asked him to inform me in writ
Ing wherein he was misquoted and to
tell me what he did say in that speech.
asked him to give me an early reply.
My memorandum was an official COM
munication to Admiral Sims in the
form OF an order"
Admiral Sims paid a short visit to
the office of Admiral Coontz. chief of
naval operations, after leaving the
office of Secretary DENLY. He later
said the visit was personal one. He
then returned to his hotel, where nu-
merous friends called during the day
to pay their respects.
Denhy Silent nm Action
Secretary Denby would give no hint
as to the action he may take on the
written explanation of Admiral Sims.
He indicated early in the day that he
might dispose of the case when he saw
the newspaper men at o'clock, but at
this conference he said he would decide
tomorrow and probably make public
the explanation presented by Admiral
Sims
Asked if he would first discuss the
incident with the President, Secretary
DENLY refused to reply, but intimated
that ne would pass on the matter him
self. 1t is not expected that the Naval
Secretary will interpret Admiral Sim s
utterance as making the officer liable to
severe punishment. Naval men believe
that if any reprimand is given it would
not go beyond detaching the Admiral
from his assignment as head of the
Naval War College and leaving him
temporarily in the status of awaiting
orders"
Admiral Sims did not appear particu-
larly concerned about his case when he
reached the Navy Department early
this morning. He smiled and chatted
with newspaper men and posed for the
battery of cameras which clicked away
to record his visit to his chief. Then
he strolled into Mr.. Denby's office, only
to emerge again in minute or two, al
most before the photographers had
c1osed fhair chuf+arc