Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-14
OF THE NAVY
Veterans, Militiamen and Gil
villains at Banquet.
NEEDS OF SERVICE
DISCUSSED BY MANY DISTIN-
GUIsHED SPEAKERS.
At Joint Dinner Of Naval League,
Naval Militia Association and
Spanish War Society.

The representatives Of three organiza-
| tions two of which had for their object the
upbuilding and popularization of the navy
of the United States, listened with atten-
ton to speeches Of men believed to be au-
thorities on naval matters at a banquet
given at the New Willard Hotel last night
Admiral Dewey, Admiral Schley. Col. Rob-
ert N. Thompson of New York. Gen. Hor-
ace Porter, Representative Foss. chairman
OF the House naval committee; Capt. Jacob
w. Miller Of the New York Naval Reserve:
Commander Usher, U. s. NJ; Rev. George
Williamson Smith, Commissioner H. B. F.
Macfarland and Representative Roberts of
Massachusetts and hosts of others equally
distinguished. locally or throughout the
country. were present as members or
guests of the Naval League of the United
States. the Naval Militia Association of the
United States or the Naval and Military
Order of the Spanfsh-American War. The
principal speakers were Admiral Dewey,
Admiral Schley, Col. Thompson, Capt. Mil
Ter, Representative Roberts. Commander
Usher and Gen. Horace Porter. With the
exception of Gen. Porter and Mr.. Roberts
all of the speakers were graduates of the
Naval Academy and each of them had
something to say for the navy.
During the course Of the evening Col.
Thompson presented Gen. Porter with
gold medal, a facsimile of the medal voted
ton of Gen. Porter's services in the recos-
cry and return to the United States of the
body of Paul Jones. Col. Thompson also
read a letter from the Army and Navy
Chapter of the Daughters Of the American
Revolution commencing Gen. Porter's work.
Gen. Porter. who is president of the Naval
League. acted as POSTMASTER and made an
interesting address on the work of the
league in general and the needs of the
navy in particular
Scope Of the League.
In referring to the work of the league
during the course OF its meeting yesterday
one of the members who has been closely
identified Herewith said:
THE scope of the league Is as broad as
the continent. Every reputable man. wom-
and child in the country is eligible to
membership. There Is no politics, no sec
tionalsm, no selfish personal interest to
serve in the undertaking. The one object
Is to help the United States navy, and to
that end it proposes to appeal to the pa
triotfsm of the American people and then
have the people appeal in their own way to
Congress for such means of supplying the
navy's needs. 1t is hoped through agen-
cies, yet to be devised, to eventually ac-
quaint every household and every boy in
the country with the work which the league
wants to accomplish. The plan considers
the establishment of branches of the league
III every city and town where there is a de-
siro to cooperate in the enterprise, and
through these branches all available means
will be employed to arouse and maintain
an intelligent popular interest in the navy.
1.-THE national peace and honor must
henceforth depend upon the navy. The
navy depends upon Congress and Congress
derends upon the people. The Navy League
therefore proposes to educate the people in
naval affairs and to enlist their support in
behalf of policy which shall insure more
ships, more officers and men with better
training for both. and a great naval reserve
composed of hardy. patriotic young men
who can be instantly called to the nations
defense In time of need
THE project thus briefly outlined is
large one, but not larger than the need it
is meant to supply. Can 1t be successfully
executed?
In Other Countries.
During the year 1901 the German Navy
League gained $4,000 new members, many
of them recruited in the United States.
England has a navy league older than Ger
many's. France has one. So has Italy,
and Spain also, which is proving tremen-
dous force for the rehabilitation of her ma
nav establishment.
What the German Navy League has done
the United States Navy League can do.
The elements of success are all at hand
and the only thing needfuI is to assemble
them with skill and Judgment. That can
be done by the process of education direct
ed along lines which shall enlist the inter
est of American boys in the achievements
the structure and needs of the navy"