Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-30
President Roosevelt Central
Figure at Annapolis.
PRESENTED DIPLOMAS
BRILLIANT ASSEMBLAGE AT
NAVAL ACADEMY EXERCISES.
Chief Executive Delivered a Practical
Address to the ia Members OF
the First Glass.

ANNAPOLIS, Nd, January 3O.-Before a
host of their friends and relatives. who
came from all parts of the country to wit
| ness tber graduating. ts members of
the first class at the Naval Academy today
completed their four years course and re-
ceived their diplomas at the hands of Pres
ident Roosevelt.
The President and his party from Wash
ington arrived shortly after 10 o'clock and
after a short stop at the house of Super
intendent Brownson of the academy went
at once to the armory. The full brigade
OF midshipmen We're drawn up. the first
battalion on the right and the second bat
talon on the left of the armory.
Back of these were ranged a brilliant as
semolage of beautiful women and gaily
decked officers
AS the President entered the armory the
midsh1pmen presented arms and the band
played The Star Spangled Banner" Pres
ldent Roosevelt entered the building with
Superintendent Brownson of the academy
Immediately behind these came Governor
Warfield of Maryland and his adjutant gen.
eral, Clinton L. Riggs. Next came Secre-
tary of War TAFT and Secretary Morton of
the navy, followed by the officers of the
academy and attendants.
The midShipmen presented arms and every
one in the vast building stood while the ma
tons chief executive passed to his seat on
the platform erected in one end of the room.
The President was introduced by Captain
Brownson, who said: II have the honor,
and it is a great pleasure, of presenting to
you the President, who will deliver to you
your diplomas. Mr.. President these are the
graduates of the Naval Academy"
The Presidents Remarks.
The President delivered the commence
ment address to the graduating class of
the Naval Academy today. The exercises
were in the new armory, which was well
hlled with the midShipmen, the officers of
the academy and their relatives and friends
Although speaking directly to the gradu-
ating class of the Naval Academy, the
President spoke to the nation as well as
to the midshipmen. Addressing them as
fellow midshipmen,' the President began
by saying that he was unable to see how q
good American could fail to be a better
American after coming to Annapolis and
seeing what the navy was and what it
was soon to be.
More than any other people in the coun-
try, he said, except the men of your
sister service. you owe peculiar debt to
the nation. But we have a right to expect
a peculiar care for your interests on the
part of the representatives of the people,"
Or all 'baSeless alarms" in the country
the President said, the cry about militarism
was the most foolish and most baseless
mo nation is as free from the danger of a
growth OF militarism we are," he said
The danger is lest we do not take suffi-
Client thought to prepare our men and ma
ter1al. If this country intends to do its
duty on the side of the law and order, then
it must see to 1t that it is able to make
good should the necessity arise"
Referring to the arbitration treaties now
pending before the Senate, the President
said every friend of peace viii join heartily
in seeing that these treaties become part
of the supreme law of the land. He said
this nation seeks peace not because we are
afraid of war, but because the Americans
people love the eternal and immutable LAY VS.
of justice and right living. -.
Reminded of Their Duties.
$50 much" he said, "for the general
public" He then talked to the members
of the graduating class, reminding them
that one of their great duties was ito see
that your shot hits" In the naval en-
said, the defeated belligerents were. defeat
ed through no lack of bravery, but through
lack of preparation defective material.
In conclusion he said:
IF you will but rise to the level of your
opportunities you will keep and maintain
the proud fame OF the American naval Of
| ficer."
Presented Special Prizes.
At the conclusion of his address the Presi-
| dent presented to the seven successful mid
| dies the sword and medals won for pro-
| fciency in theoretical and practical gum
| merry:
| Midshipman Royal E. Ingersoll of Indiana
| received the handsome sword presented by
| the class of 1871 for proficiency in this
| branch. In presenting the arm to the mid
| shipman President Roosevelt said: Il am
| very glad to give this sword to the man
| whose shot hit"
Medals for Proficiency.
Midshipmen Edward G. Hargis of VIM
chester. Ky; Albah E. Court of Houston
Texas; Ormond l.. Cox of Rix Mills Ohio;
Hartford L. Greenlee, Lyndon, ILL.,; VIM. S..
McCiintin of Port Lexis, Va; Theodore G..
Ellison, Richmond, Va, each received a
medal for proficiency in the same branch
of the studies.
The seven star members of the class,
headed by Hugo Frankenberger of Charles
ton, w. Va, were then handed their di-
plomaS IN the order in which they stood
as leaders of their class After this the
diplomas were drawn at random.
Following the delivery of the diplomas,
| which MIR. Roosevelt accompanied with a
| handShake and a pleasant word for each
| MILDLY, the official party left the armory,
| being saluted by the full brigade of mid
| shipmen under Commander w. f. FulIam
| as they passed through the aisle made by
| the two battalfons.
After going to the residence of Superin-
| tendent w. Fl. Brownson, where luncheon
| was served the President and his party
| departed for Philadelphia.
| Besides Secretary Morton, his wife and
| daughter and Secretary and Mrs. Taft
| there were in the party the following naval
| attaches from the foreign legations at
| Washington: Commander Takeshta of the
| .IaUaneSe. lega ton. Commander Hehbfnp-