New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-10
NOT For Defence ALONE.
CAPTAIN MAHANS VIEWS on TIE NAVY
HE AND GEN. HOWARD DELIVER ADDRE>sEs
BEFORE THE QUILL, CLUB.


BEFORE THE QUILL CLUB.
company of wel-known men, many OF waom
besides thGr ordinary vocatlons. WELD with puDnc
pride and advantage "gray goose Quill slave ol ''
thoughts, ohedicnt the wl,' had dinner last even
Ing in Clark's, In Yves, Twenty thirdst., and when
over discussed QucstiorS OF grave National con
Germ. 1T the twenty eighth regular mccln4 anu
dinner OF the Quill Club. Much interest WAS i'it ]"
10 presence of Captain a. I. Mahan. president OF
the Naval War College, who Is one of the most "iu'H
recognized authorities in Europe rs well as in Amer
lea on naval affairs generally. Amos L. N'id'r
was elected assistant secretary a'l the new president
\. H. SieCfricd. delivered an Interesting inaugural
address, About one hundred SIT down. These are
the names of some OF them:
General O. @. Howard. Colonel a. S. Bacon,
Captain J.. F. Emilio. Colonel T. i. Barr. me kcV.
Dr. Elmcndorf the Rev. W. {. Biting, j. Cleveland
Cndy Robert Graham. secretary Of the Church ien-
ncrancc Society: Major Marshall II. Bright. Major
j. NJ Ropes. DR.. L. y. Bulklcy. c. y. Nmball. f. H.
Trbbs L. Hooker, G.. a. Wenncr II. p Woodward,
J. " Lott the Rev. DIR. w. J. IIarsha. J. g. Oakley.
Major W. l.. Iaskin, I. S. A.: j. l.. Whson W.
Abbott L. A. Maynard and A. f. Marllng
MajorGencral O. q. Howard responded to the toast
Of The Army" "If Obliged 10 defend
the National honor in the field Of war;. said hc at
will take both the Army and the Navy to do it and
Won NAV rest assured should occasion arise neither
OF these two great branches Of the public service VIII
be found wanting In readiness ana courage 10 D'ar
aloft unsullicd the flag of the Republic. applause
There nav be some matters In the personal Of the
army that are not as would wish bnt remember
il is Army applause and orr business Is 10 see
that what in II 4, bad shall be wccdcd out and that
what in it Is good shall be enlarged and made more
efficient si CpTlau,e.> President Cleveland is the
Commander Chief of both Army and Navy, and
President Cleveland never and never will be
general laugher): though you will bear in mind when
wrote this had not read the notice OF eviction which
he served recently the oficeseelers who crowded
around the White House looking for place. CRenewcd
laughter0
Captain Mahan spoke for 1.-THE Navy The
audience listened with the utmost attention. and was
made 10 realize that war was still factor In the
affairs of nations. This is part of what Captain
Mahan said
There is certain amount OF undenable truth in the
assertion frequently made that do not want navy for
aggressive purposes We have here a great and noble
which by frequent iteration lost ia glory and
d-generatnd into q catchword. (Appl1use) con
cedo that Che policy OF the United States not and should
be aggressive. But Government il not first party
IN any National transaction but simply an agent zap
rauscJ and IL has therefore right Other
trustee the interests OF is client ihc grounds
Of bonclolcncc dsntercs;cdness (ApplauseJ Justice
should prevail OF course. but justice its fist
lIppausel. and in question II doubtful rights. after
haustlng all reasonable efforts at Cancellation. become
duty Of a government rs It IS the duty Of every
trustee carry the up 70 the court OF final
appeal which defend the right IN the qnarIels Of
nations. (AppauseJ
\ nation ntIust It's material interests 70 another
It's honor is only In It's keeping. Applause
Just how - war fifteen m'nths ago may
be a matter Of speculation. 1t Is my belief however
that the danger then imminent ust had tho
United States Government Of that day betrayed any
weakness Of purpose had 1t reflected with less nrnncss
than II did. the UNIQUE stonabe determination Of the
country 70 exact repaatlon should have drfted into
war APPLAUSE The most dangerous element IN the
situation then that part Of our press which sug
ees. the erroneous idea country prepared
10 trine with it, right reparaon the greatest
the creates: promoter that were the uttepnecs
Of the revolutionary societies OF Great Britain which
encouraged THE French belief TINT tho British Govern
uent had not It's people at It's back
War once begun, pass for our guidance from the
maXms OF statesmen the authority Of warriors. both
OF land ana sea these with accord proclaim that
armies and which for defence only are armies
and navies that ar for ruin also (Applauscl
our navy must large enough u take the aggressive
and 10 predominant, Held Of Interests, not
over The biggest navy world but the force
which that navy can spare greater and approx
mate interests to contend within the sphere that pecul
iary our own. (Applause) navy 'for defence only,
that IS navy merely awaits attack and rcpcls IL
with guns your channels may be lined with torpedoes
your navy defence only may be safe behind them
but also lchind them must be this immense eoastne
trade reduced idcness. In war the best defensive
policy is " take the offensive. (Applause)