AMERICA AND THE WAR

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12010, 12 March 1920, Page 5

AMERICA AND THE WAR

STATEMENTS BY ADMIRAL SIMS. Unite i Press Association —By Elec trie Telegraph —Copyright. Received March 13, 10 a.m. * Washington, March 10 Admiral Sims, testifying before the Senate Naval Investigation Committee, said the failure of the Navy Department to act quickly upon recommendations and place the United States’’entire naval resources at the disposal of the Allies within six months after America entered the conflict, had prolonged the war by at least four months. Admiral Sims declared that he was sorely embarrassed by the lack of confidence and co-operation of the Navy Department during the most trying days of the war, and he repeatedly asked to be relieved of his command if he had lost the Navy Department’s confidence. Admiral Sims further stated that the United States kept the main fleet in home waters partly through fear of invasion, and partly because it wished to possess the fleet Intact after the war ended. Simultaneously the Navy Department kept assuring the Allies of intention to co-operate in European waters to the fullest extent. Received March 12 9, a.m. Washington, March 10. Admiral Sims stated that the Navy Department’s conduct of the war prolonged the struggle unnecessarily by four months through not cooperating with the Allies properly, and through petty jealousies and other friction. In the first year afterwards there was an improvement.