The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-08-12
American Battle Ships
Manned by Americans


"The people OF the south are wide
awake and well versed in naval mat
ters; all seenl to take an interest in
the navy and realize that the United
States Is rapaaly building one Of the
greatest and most efficient navies IN
the world. not aS a means Of war, but
for guarantee Of peace and as an in
surance to the commercial and busi-
ness interests Of our country" said
Hospital Steward b. w Cole Of the
United States navy today. 1T is true"
he continued, that at casual glance
the naval appropriation Of sS4,O00.O00
looks big: but when we think what a
stimulus a great navy is 70 the coun-
try. what security and encouragement
It gives and offers to all in business,
what dignity and prestige It gives us
among other nations Of the world what
petty strlfes Il. strangles, and. great
est OF all. what great outlay and
loss OF life in war which this small
annual appropriation prevents-when
all these are considered, this appro-
priation Is small indeed. but far reach
ing in results.
Just few years ago the American
navy was made up Of very lc-ge
per cent. OF foreign born. but today we
have an American navy made up large
" OF American boys. In olden Gays,
when our navy spread her wings Of
convass over the sea and handed down
to posterity such splendid achieve
ments. we had many foreigners in her
crews but they were thoroughly i'm
Dued with IDEAS OF freedom, and far be
It from me to say one word against
those brave lads Of foreign birth that
have done so much 10 help make our
glorious record: but times have chang
ed and with the change we need and
must have the American boy
''He has, as It we're. by nature a me
chanlcal turn OF mind. quickly grasps
the intricate details Of the various me
chanlcai aud electrical contrlvanees
on hoard the modern battleship and he
has not been slow In coming TO the
front and while the victories under
sail gave us a glorious past, the Amer
lean lads handled with consummate /,
skill and great accuracy the modern
aghtihg machines afioat in the late
..lr, where such vessels were first put
to the test and gave to the present
generation some of the most wonderful
Victories the world has ever witness
ed; aid today these same lads. sons
OF Americans from all callings and
walks Of life, are breaking world rec
ords at target practice on the gulf
coast
"This Increase in the navy gives
many openings for American boys
wonderful opportunities that their
fathers never had The navy depart
ment has put itself TO great expense
TO build training stations for the boys
and men. and At them for ship life.
Everything has been done for the com
fort and pleasure Of the men on board
hip that can be done; the food is
ood, and one receives ,4ie best of
'dical care and attention the food
medical care being free Of charge
i know that n the parents here If.
piouthwest fully understood the ad-
ges offered lad 10 the navy. be-
the ages Of u and 25. they
be only too anxious for their
~ SO. II they can send their hoy
3, by all means DO so, Tor col
gives one polish and cul-
.aothing else viii bring out
80 tents who cannot AFFORD 20
7'eN sons 70 college. they can
Nso '" The navy
- cheerful worker Steward
nows Of no better place
p Ia the navy; but one
pes s'.,S tners re- Is s''TSs plenty "