THE NAVAL RIFT

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1920, Page 3

THE NAVAL RIFT

SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURES. -

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyr’gnt,

WASHINGTON, May 12.

There were sensational disclosures in Mr Daniel’s evidence before the Senate Investigation Committee. A telegram which Mr Wilson sonfc to the British Admiralty disclosed- that Mr Wilson was unsatisfied with the way the Admiralty was directing the British Navy’s work. Mr Wilson was unable to understand why British exports were unwilling to allow Washington Naval Department to telt them how things ought to be done. Mr Wilson considered the Ad r nrirnlty too cautious and failed to use its great naval superiority against submarines. He asked Admiral Sims for •independent suggestions as if tlie British Admiralty unexisted. Mr Wilson commented in a message to Admiral Sims that the Admiralty appeared helpless to the point of panic, in the face of the submarine danger. Admiral Sims’ reply to Mr Wilson’s telegram, according to Mr Daniels, merely referred generalities respecting what the Admiralty was actually accomplishing.

AMERICAN NAVAL DISPUTE. WASHINGTON, May 12. Mr Daniels stated that letters written by Admiral Sims to Mr Page, Ambassador in London, pointed out that Mr Wilson evidently regarded Sims as owned body and soul by the British Admiralty, and seriously considered replacing him by anothtr officer more amenable tc the American Naval Department. Answering Mr Wilson’s charges to the effect that the British were too cautious. Admiral Sims outlined the ’ combined land and sea attack on the Belgium Coast, including the Zeebrugge Landing. Then finding this in Sims’ opinion was sufficiently audacious to please even Mr Wilson, Sims according to Mr Daniels, disapproved of the American plans dealing with submarines as ini practicable, stating they bad already been tested by Britain, and found unworkable. Mr Daniels- asserted that Sims was so hypnotised by the Admit-, alty, that lie tried to lure the President into a feeling that regarding future de velopment United States could always rely on the British Navy.

CONFLICTING EVIDENCE. (Keren pf| ?v>\- at noun ) WASHINGTON, May 13. Mr Daniels alleged .that forged, telegrams on. the sujbjec-t of convoys, liad been produced' previously before the investigation by Admiral Sims at his instance. Mr Daniels denied knowledge of a docket which instructed Admiral Sims that American vessels would be safer when armed and sailing independently than when convoyed Sims during his evidence declared the receipt of this message made him ready to jump overboard.