Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15
DEWEY's STAND AT MANILA
Reference to Historic Clash With
German Admiral.
PRE-EMINENCE OF THE NATION
Virginia Executive in Presenting
Silver to Vessel Bearing States
NameAdvocates More Warships.

NORFOLK, Va, December ia greater
navy as means OF putting the United
States first among nations was the burden
OF the speech of Gov. Swanson at Ports
mouth this afternoon. The occasion was
the presentation of a splendid silver serv-
ice to the battleship Virginia by the gov
e-hor on behalf Of the people of the state
Gov. Swanson said, in part:
'"The first flag that ever Haunted over an
American man of war was hoisted by the
heroic hands of John Paul Jones, and 1t
bore the device of pine tree and rattle
snake, wit hthe motto, Don't tread on
me- a warning which from that day no
one has dared to disobey without receiving
deadly stroke.
1T was well the admiral who commanded
the German fleet at Manila, and who inter-
fered in every way with our pans and
rights, needed this warning when told by
Dewey that he must desist, and that If he
wanted war with the United States he
could have it in five minutes.
Calm, resolute. courage and wisdom
have ever characterized the conduct of our
naval officers in the most trying and crit
ical situations. Language is inadequate to
convey the debt of obligation and gratitul lie
due the navy. In times of peace it surveys
and charts the trackless deeps. maps and
marks the dangers in the routes of COM
merce, makes researches for science and
learning, stands as sentinel on the outpo SIS,
of civilization, opens up for commerce new
and hostile countries, and in every part OF
the world, by its activity and courage, 1t
redresSeS American wrongs and asserts
American rights. 1t is the best guardian of
the interests of this great commercial pco-
pie. In every country, in every cline,
around the frozen fields and ices of the
north, under the blazing suns of the tropics.
naval officers and men have served and
many died with only one purpose, to add to
the prestige OF this nation and the glory
and renown of its flag.
Lessenzef history.
Our past history has sliSwn US sbe. neces-.
sity for splendid navy and how many an
fcultics and disasters we have avertea ~
our naval successes. The demand&for a
great navy in the future will far transcend
any which existed in the past. The United
States has ceased to be an isolated and pro-
vincial nation, it has become a world power.
and must accept and perform its work, duty
and responsibility.
Our foreign commerce, our exports of
mineral, manufactured and agricultural
products far exceed those of any other ma
ton. By tradition. by honor and by self
interest we are compelled to maintain at all
hazards the Monroe doctrine, and to extend
our protecting arms to the nations of the
western hemisphere.
We have possessions and large CONNER
cial interests in the orient which require
constant care end protection. Our national
honor, prosperity and power are dependent
upon our carefully guarding these varied
interests and successfully doing our des-
tined work.
To be able to defend all our large inter-
ests and rights, to perform our part of the
worlds work. require large and efficient
navy. All our conflicts and wars Of the
future> will either be upon the seas or in
foreign Acountries. No nation is strong
enough or foolish enough to invade our ter
ritory. Our future battles will be either
for defense or supremacy on the seas: Our
4v.I rx1o
arably interworen with the future of our
navy. In modern civilization, with its per-
plexities of trade and commerce, that
ton will be paramount in the world and
arbiter of its destinies which is supreme on
the sea. Naral supremacy ultimately
means national pre-eminence and triumph.