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Show I DANIELS DENIES if NAVY IS NOT J REM IS t " Attacks Admiral Sims' Charge 3 That Department Lacked i Plans for Conflict BATTLES IN ATLANTIC HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED Cites Roosevelt's Statement in m 1 1905 to Show Attitude t on Preparedness ! WASHINGTON. May 15. Secretary Daniels today attacked Admiral Sims' ; ; chargo that the navy department lack- ; ed plans and otherwise was unprepar- ed for war. The charge was "unin- I formed and unwarranted," ho told thei senate committee which is investigal- ' ing the so-called Sims-Paniels row, I and testimony of Rear Admiral Badger ; and other members of 'the general r board had proven such statements un-1 . founded. j ' j . Mr. Daniels described in detail the j organization and operation of the ; general board to show that for years hpfni-fi Dig war the board was engaged It j in preparing and revising plans for naval battles in the Atlantic. Admiral r - Dewey had studied the situation from i tho beginning of tho European war i and in March, 1015, had forwarded n i I o statement, of preparations necessary, .y The navy department followed the ' '7 Dewey outline as "far as congress' "j- appropriations .would permit,J,JNIr. v W' 1janTels'declaecnlv-.A . V ' Mr. Daniels reviewed his recommen- datlons to congress from 1913 on. In-.jsA In-.jsA " cide'ntally he told tlie cdminitlec that-, frlffi the navy" under president Taft had - "fallen back" as the United States flRft which had advanced to second' place k among naval powers in 1907 dropped Li, back to third in 1911. I. :. "Between March, 191C, and Septem- h '" ' ber, 1916, the navy was increased in personnel, material and efficiency k- k more than in any similar peace period R" in our history," said the secretary, r iv The pre-war attitude of the UniLed ;. U- States toward preparedness, was !" . shown by President Roosevelt's mes-.' mes-.' ; sage to congress in 1905, declaring - that "it does not seem to me neces- V sary that the navy should at least in the immediate future be increased with the present number of units," : , " ' " said Mr. Daniels. |