Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-14
Women Clubs

TBELL club members and invited
III guests formed an audience num-
h bering between 400 and 500, which
gathered Monday afternoon In the
auditorium of the handsome club house
on Figueroa street to listen to an IN
formal and thoroughly enjoyable talk
on "The American Navy" by Richard
Barry.
Los Angeles has an especial pride OF
possession in Mr.. Barry, for he was a
prominent member of the local news
paper fraternity before he went east en-
route to achieving fame as war corre-
spondent in Japan, and later adding TO
his laurels by special magazine work
and by his book, Port Arthur.
Therefore II was an audience of mine
own people" into whose faces he looked,
who were thrilled by his account OF ad-
ventures in the turret of 12-inch gun
in action and who listened with ap-
sorbed interest as he told of the stu
pendous bluff" put up by the United
States government when our pattle-
ship fleet put out from Hampton Roads
year ago last September with Mag
dalena bay as one of the objective
points, sans nearly everything IN the
way of necessary equipment except the
heavy armament already in position
and an enrolment of American sailor
soldiers warranted to beat the Worlu.
With this fleet Mr.. Barry sailed as
press correspondent, and was in a posi-
ton to know much that could not De
given to the public at that time, not
ably the defenseless condition OF the
ships and the apprehension Wmcn e&-
listed as to what might happen II any
thing transpired to precipitate war
with Japan. On the date OF SAILING our
navy, rated by tonnage as second only
to that of England, existed only on
paper so far as efficiency was con
cerned, and to have had an encounter
then with an equal number OF ships IN
first class condition would have meant
practical annihilation.
"Three months later" said the
speaker 1--WE were in 300 per cent bet
ter shape, and when we dropped anchor
in the blue waters of Lower California
were in a condition to prove easily tn1
equal of any force which might be seht
against us. When l remember the
maryels accomplished under pressure
during that voyage, and consider the
spirit of manhood of the men who
stand back of our guns, | am con-
vinced that If the fleet which Is to DAY
approaching the shores of Japan shouid
encounter the ships of any natlon III
the world in combat after the close OF
the conflict we should see the stars
and Stripes still waving proudly where
they do today
THESE matters. the speaker explained,
he is now at liberty to discuss publicly
anticipating by only short time
similar and even stronger statement
from Rear Admiral Evans in a maga-
zine article soon to be published.
A prophesy concerning some OF the
nRf a q Los
Angeles. Portland and Seattle, II war
were to be declared between the United
States and Japan, and If the Paclnc
fleet were not in a position to quickly
Intervene, formed an interesting part OF
the address. With detailed and accu-
rate maps of each of the coast cities IN
the offices of the war department OF
Japan. the speaker claimed that our
dreamed of coast defense, If ever SO
efficient, could not prevent the accurate
and effectual dropping of l5O-pound
shell into our court house, others IN our
city hall and other public bulldlngs'
and that our fate and that OF every
other large city on the coast woulu pe
the same as suffered py Fort ArlhuL
at the hands of the Japs
A splendid tribute to the personnei
of the navy closed the address.
From the gallery and walls OF the
auditorium hung great American nags,
and preceding the lecture fro1' JdiieS
A. Foshay sang 1.-The Star Spangled
Banner" the audience standing.
Following the program Mr.. ana MRS.
Barry and Mrs. Richard Barry or Mon
rovia were guests of honor at an IN
formal reception and tea.
+
Cosmos club will hold the first of the
years sessions this afternoon at Ebell
club house. Miss Nuncie Sabina Bitt-
man will be heard in song recital pre-
vious to the informal reception arV re-
union which is to close the afternoon.
A discussion of matters pertaining to
the municipal harbor will form the pro-
gram of the first meeting of the Friday
Morning club for November, the speak
ers to be Capt. A. w. Fries and Joseph
H. Call.
Senator Charles w. Bell will address
the club on the subject of the state
constitution and amendments the morn
ing of October %, preceding Mrs.
Adams-Fisher's lecture on picturesque
Portugal"
Tickets on sale for the Royal Area
mum Minstrels October Ia to the 2Sd,
at Bartlett Music Co.'S, at popular
prices Oct 11-14-1S-19-20-1