New-York tribune., 1910-06-04
AMERICANS MAN NAVY.
Secretary Meyer Says They
Constitute 96 Per Cent.
12O MIDDIES GRADUATED
Farewell Ball Ends June Week
at Naval Academy-Crulse
Starts To-day.

AuuauolfS June s-Secretary Meyer told
the graduating class at the Naval Acad-
en1v here today that ''the navy should be
so constituted and drilled that II will have
az all times the greatest possible military
efficiency"
Under such conditions only" he added.
.'can the navy protect the interests OF the
country and insure peace The navy IS
only a menace and needless expense when
It is permitted TO deteriorate and when the
military spirit weakens-"
Taking models OF the original Kearsarge
and Of the modern battleship Michigan as
illustrations. Mr.. Meyer said he could think
of no comparison that would demonstrate
so well at a glance how the duties OF the
naval officer have changed. and with II tne
characteristics OF the officer and blue
Jacket" Then. after speaking OF the en-
listed men Of the navy and saying tnal'
while In former years IL was often ciricuiI
to man the ships with American sailors 10
dav ss per cent OF the crews are Ameri-
cans he continued
.ryvhIle the change in the requirements or
the enlisted man is very great. II IS equally
~ not more. marked in the officer and the
transformation that has taken place IN tne
navv is a transformation not only IN per-
sonneI, but in material and in the methoos
/ OF handling both
The battleship Of today IS vast coIh-
plicated mechanism and 1t requires skliieu
personnel 10 make all parts work IN unison
N common end This requires on the
mart Of officers and men of the navy exact
ing drill and training The young officer OF
| to-day instead Of being sent aloft 20 furi
sails. Is sent down into the stOkehold TO
1 Nd +ar6 the boilers.
There he learns how everything must be
maintained in efficient working order TO
get the greatest speed with the greatest
| economy OF fuel"
| Mr.. Never went on to explain how the
Young officer receives a similar training IN
/ regard TO the other parts of vessels man
| agennent. Referring to the personnel Dill
J introduced in Congress by which captains
will be created at from forry-three TO forty
| eight years OF age and rear admiraIs az
ffty-ffve, the Secretary said:
! The responsibility OF commanding bat
tleshfp involves not only a thousand lives
| but vast expenditure of money and a pos
sible loss of a unit in the fleet Of strategic
Importance Therefore, commanding Of
fcer should be at an age TO stand the ner-
vous as we'll as the mental and physical
strain Our admfrals should have more
| time in that rank to get practice as squad
ron and division commanders before reach
ing the supreme command Of the feet
| In conclusion the Secretary admonished
| the young officers to let their aim be 'an
earnest endeavor at all times TO attain the
highest efficiency and not TO be satisfied
| with anything less"
THE country looks to you" he asserted.
| mot merely TO be content to step in the
footprints Of your predecessors. but to
make your own footprints and TO do under
all circumstances the best that IS in you.
whether in peace or in war. and thus main
tain the reputation of the American navy
for progressiveness. efficiency and cour-
age"
One hundred and twenty uidshipnen re-
ceived their diplomas from the hands Of
Secretary Meyer, who came here from
Washington last night on board the dis
patch boat Dolphin
With the graduation ceremonies out OF
the way. there remained only one function
of June week. This was the farewell ball
which was rendered to the graduates to-
night Tomorrow morning the members OF
the three lower classes viii embark aboard
the ships OF the practice squadron for the
annual cruise