The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-24
AMBITIOUS
TO RATE AS
IMMORTAL
AMERICAN
Supports Own Campaign to
Elevate Him With Famous
Heroes Of History.

The Washington Times prints
today an interesting account Of
an effort being made by the
friends of Rear Admiral Sims,
with the knowledge and approval
and perhaps with the support of
the rear admiral, to secure for
him the honor of admiral.
This distinguished position Of
admiral of our navy has hereto
fore been held in permanent rank
only, by Farragut, Porter, and
Dewey. In 1915 the Congress
provided for four admirals and
three vice admirals, but these are
held only temporarily by officers
while in actual command Of our
fleets.
While the propagandists who
are laboring for Admiral Sims
elevation admit in their letters that
Sims was never in actual contact
with the enemy, they seem to think
that some qualifications Of his en-
title him to this elevation
Twice Reprinanded.
Inasmuch as the only two occs.
sions upon which Rear Admiral Sims
came conspicuously before the Amer.
lean people were occasions on which
he was reprimanded for public ad-
dresses In London which displayed
humiliating subservience to Great
Britain, the people OF the United
States will probably not sympathize
with the plan of Mr.. Sims and his
propagandists to secure him the rank
which would place him next to our
three great American Admirals-
Farragut. Porter. and Dewey-who
did come into contact with the
enemy and who did not humiliate
the American people by snobbish
speeches abroad
Mr.. Sims direct knowledge Of the
efforts of the propagandists is estab.
Iished by a letter from him to Mr..
John L. Leighton, one of the travel.
ling agents of the propaganditsts--
which is printed In facsimile-and by
the reply Of Mr.. Leighton directly to
this letter of Sims, which is printed
in the course of the text.
Another letter printed In facsimile
...t.
planning the claims Of Sims TO the
rank he covets.
Born In Canada.
Other letters indicate some OF the
detailed activity of Mr.. Leighton,
travelling agent Of the propagan-
dists.
The whole incident throws an
Illuminating sidelight upon the am
billions and the meIAal makeup Of
Admiral Sims. and the peculiar ac-
tivities Of his supporters.
Here is a man, born in Canada,
who has rendered no extraordinary
service to this country, who hns
twice been reprimanded by the
Government Of the United States
for undue subservience to England,
and who is conniving with propa<
position close to that held by only
two of our, truest and greatest
Americans, and who is endeavoring
to secure this exalted rank by news.
paper agitation and political pres.
sure rather than by the usual ave.
nues of service and Governmental
recognition.
Letters Connect Up.
The following letter from Mr..
John l.. Leighton 10 Rear Admiral
Sims mentions tho receipt Of the
letter from Rear Admiral Sims,
which Is printed In this article In
facsimile.
The letter from Rear Admiral
Sims, after expressing qualification
NJ the work which Mr.. Leighton "
doing, makes comment upon the
illegibility Of Mr.. Leighton's hand.
writing. -
The opening sentence OF Mr..
Leighton's letter refers to that com.
ment Of Rear Admiral Sims on his
penmanship, and In that way con-
meets up the two letters In the most
conclusive manner.
Santa Barbara, Cal,
January 81, 1922.
Dear Admiral:
Your letter calling attention 10
deficiencies In my penmanship
reached me TODAY. I agree with
YOU that my talents In that regard
are limited. The name to which
referred was Walsh, as YOU he.
believed II 20 be.
have not written for some