ADMIRAL SIMS’ SPEECH

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1921, Page 2

ADMIRAL SIMS’ SPEECH

CAUSE OF HIS RECALL

ACSTKALIAN AND N.Z. CABI.E ASSOCIATION,

(Received This Lay at LJ.35 a.in.)

LONDON, June 14

'j'ho newspapers on the eve of his departure generally praise Admiral Sims fearless attitude (in connection with American attacks, and assured him he had earned Britain’s good will throughout and since the war. Admiral Sims trouble arose over his speech when luncheoned by English sneaking Union on 7th June declaring he had been misrepresented by the allegation that he opposed everything Irish and the whole Irish nation, because in writings published in America he had regarded the facts relating to Sinn Fein operations against America and her troops during the war, the result of which was that a great many lives and ships were lost, through diverting forces from escorting merchant vessels and other important services. STRONG TERMS LONDON, June 14. Admiral Sims continued —The same influences were operating to-day, carrying oti war both against America and Britain, trying to sap the good relations between the two countries, which were established while co-operating at sea during the war. Sinn Fein sympathisers in America had the blood both of British and American boys on their hands. They were Americans when they wanted money, but Sinn Feiners when on the platform. Ho strongly suspected that they were asses, but they had votes and there were a lot of them. SIMS STANDS FIRM. (Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) ItONDON, June 14.

Admiral Sims when interviewed after the first protests from America, said—‘T stand by all I said, I shan’t repudiate a single word. I see nothing unAmerican in it. I intend to keep on saying the same thing.”

The official recall to America has not altered Admiral Sims original plan to catch the Olyminic to-morrow, which is the earliest boat he could return by. Sims claims that the reports of his speech are incorrect, the context being misleading and garbled. His actual (statements nr§ substantially the same p he repeatedly .am! pviMioly made in Amerieß. and in his besl*.