The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-04
DIPLOMAS ARE GIVEN
TO NAVY GRADUATES
Students at Annapolis Get
Their Sheepskins Amid
Applause.
ADMIRAL DEWEY
MAKES ADDRESS
Glass Includes ia Members-Van
Deboe, Who Is to Wed, in
Public Eye.

ANNAPOLIS. Nd, June 4.-One hun
dred and seventy-four young men who
had completed the four-year course at
the United States Naval Academy re-
ceived from the hands Of Admiral
George Dewey today the diplomas.
which put them in line to con land the
battleships of the American Navy.
Simple but impressive ceremonies
marked the exercises, and notwith-
standing the heavy rain, the hall was
full OF the relatives and friends of the
gra 1uates and many others attracted
by the interesting occasion The class
was the second which has received its
diplomas in a body since the number Of
men has been so greatly increased. The
first Of the big classes to be graduated
was in 1907, but that was graduated in
three sections at different times in the
scholastic year.
Tells of Cones Advance,
Admiral Dewey and superintendent
Badger addressed the graduates brief
", while the address was delivered by
Representative ]. Van Vechten Olcott
.. member of the board OF visitors The
remarks of Admiral Dewey we're quite
b.ief. but IN giving some wor1s of ac-
vice to the graduates he alludsi to the
remarkable achievements of Lieut..
Com Hutch I. Cone. who commanded
the flotiua of torpedo boats in the
cruise around the world. He said that
Cone at the age Of thirsy-six was the
head Of one OF the most important bu-
real IN the navy and that his success
could be realized by any of the gradu-
ates who would apply themselves to
their work. In closing, he read the late
United States Senator John j. ingalls,
poera. Opportunity" and suggested
that each graduate obtain copy and
memorize it
The address Of Representative Olcott
abounded in good advise 10 the n1idship-
men, and he particularly pleased them
by the assurance that the board - viz
itors would recommend that the law be
changed so that graduates should be
commissioned as ensIgns at once upon
graduation. He spoke of the general
pride felt by every citizen OF the coun-
try IN it's army and navy an pa-ucu-
larlv that we possessed the best milf
tarv and naval training schools of the
word. He said that he believed IN
substantial navy for both the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans as the best means
Of preserving peace and not because ne
feared a war.
'I am not one of those" he said,
who believes that either Germany or
Japan will zttack US. God help them
II they do. but we must nave as sun n
cient navy 10 make all the world Ie-
spect US and 70 enforce our just de-
mands when necessary.
BOYS Hate a Lie.
To the nidshipmen he said that what
ever NAV have been their fa"lts, due,
perhaps. to carelessless or tie spirits
of youth, one thing delighted him and
that was that the 5oys at annapolis
ana West point hated a lie in any FORM
s,bfs devotion 10 honor. he said, would
make them serve their country IN 10y
atty and truth and make their service a
part of the glorious record OF the Am
Upon the platform we're Admiral
Dewey, Captain Badger Captain BOW
yer who viii succeed him as superin-
tendent; the members Of the boaTd or
Visitors and the heads Of the academic
me brigade Of midshipmen was drawn
IN at either side of the aunory and
the official party, with Admiral Dewey
ana President Sanderson, of the board
of visitors, at its head. passed between
the battalion. which presented arms.
Taking seats upon the platform, the
ceremony was opened with prayer by
Chaplain Clarke, of the Academy. After
the speeches each graduate was called
to the front and received his diploma.
The "star'' graduates, those who re-
ceiVed a mark Of better than So per
cent covering the whole course received
their diplomas first IN order OF scholas-
tic merit The fiTst diploma handed out
was 10 Theodore S. Wilkinson, # Myrtle
Grove, La.
Marked With Applause.
The delivery of the diploma to Wilkin-
son was marked with great applause,
particularly from the first battalion.
which he commanded. Ralph Backer,
Of Poonvile, Ind, was the second man
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