El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-03-06

tHe growing strength or the Navy
league, and, second, because this is
the first convention which this organ
ization has held on the Pacific coast
1t has been predicted that the Pacific
ocean will some day become the worlds
Mediterranean, and there is a prevail
ing belief that for many years to come
this region is to be the theater of the
worlds great events. The rise of Japan
to a power of the first rank, the awak-
ening of China, the construction of the
Panama canal and the marvellous de-
velopment of the western coasts of the
United States and Canada have served
tremendously to increase the impor-
lance Of the Pacific Ordinarily, the
Navy league holds its annual conven-
tions in Washington or in some of the
eastern cities, but this year 1t was de-,
termined to hold meeting on the Pa
cifjc coast. The offiei.ls of the league
realize that more and more must those
concerned " it'll the American navy turn
their attention to the Pacific, and that
the time is at hand for the conside-a-
ton and solution Of the new problems
that will arise with the opening of the
Panama canal
Subjects to Be Discussed.
At the meeting of the league such
subjects as these will be discussed:
World leadership on the Pacific; sig
nificance of adequate representation of
naval force on the Pacific; the coal
supply of the Pacific; a Pacific coast
navy; naval defence on the Pacific; the
Panama canals strategic value; the
navy and its relations to worlds, prob
lens; is a strong navy compatible with
sincere encouragement to all peace
movements?
Germany. Great Britain, France and
other great powers have their navy
leagues. These organizations are older
than the Navy league of the United
States. which is only six years old. AZ
a matter of fact, it is only about two
years since its development into a
strong and Influential body began. To-
day, It is a powerful organization for
the promotion of the efficiency of the
American navy and has a membership
of nearly 1000 American citizens scat
tered in 33 different states 1t has
been the purpose in securing members
to add only those persons who take
real and earnest interest in the
Strengthening of the navy. Gen. Hor-
ace Porter. former ambassador to
France, is the president; Truman H.
Newberry, former secretary of the navy,
is vice president; J. P. Morgan, jr is
treasurer, and Henry H. Ward is secre-
tary. The headquarters of the league
are in Washington.
Inc ODJecI OF the League
The exact object of the league is
summed up in its constitution as fol-
lows: ITO spread before the citizens of
the United States Information as to
the condition of the United States naval
forces and ships. and to awaken public
interest and activity in all matters
tending to aid. improve and develop the
efficiency of the navy" Primarily. the !
purpose of the league is educational. 1t !
men who set out to give publicity to !
the needs of the navy and to show the :
reasons why an adequate one should be I
maintained 1t was perceived by its I
founders that what was eyerybody's /
business was nobody's business. and |
that while a river and harbor bill could I
get plenty of support in congress be- I
cause Of the local interests concerned, /
there was sad lack of championship /
for the navy.
In pursuance of it's purposes. the !
league has issued and circulated a
great deal of printed matter Repre- |
sentative men in most of the states i
have been induced to become members, /
and women also are eligible. Not only
has educational work been done, but
the influence of the league has been
powerfully exerted to strengthening
the navy. Last year. for instance, when
bious for the authorization of two
great battleships. the league took hold
Of the situation. A thousand promi-
nent members, scattered from the At
antic to the Pacific wrote letters to
members Of the house and senate. and
their representations had much to do
with the action of congress in author
zing construction of two great Dread
4 League Achievement.
One of the achievements OF the league
n which its officers take pride is the
securing of a crypt for the resting
place of the bones of John Paul Jones
1t the United States Naval academy
It Annapolis. Gen. Horace Porter.
When ambassador to France, at a cost
IF $4,000 to himself, had the bones
# the naval hero dug from under the
Of buildings in Paris and
transferred to this country. Here, they
we're put in an unsuitable repository
It Annapolis. The Navy league inter
sted itself in the movement to have a
rypt provided for by congress and
Fhen this is constructed the mortal
'arts of the man who first made the
american navy something to be dread
d beyond the seas will have a fitting
esting place
Protection of the enlisted man of
erests is one of the things for which
he Navy league has worked unremit-
ingly. Especially has the league been
oncerned in the effort to prevent mis-
reatment OF the enlisted man because
e wears the uniform. 1t has insisted
hat the enlisted man in uniform should
OF be barred from theaters and places
( amusement simply because of his
inform, and that he should be en-
tiled to the same treatment as other
itizens, so long as he behaves him
elf.
Last year it was discovered that two
publications.. widely distributed to the
nlisted men of the navy, and socialis-
c in tone. were discouraging young
len from enlistment in the naval SER
ice The Navy league was instru- !
rental in hating the circulation Of )
lese publications among the enlisted
len. The league in no sense is war ,
ng on socialism or on socialist lead {
rs, but its officers feel that no good | )
I'd is served by trying to weaken the | :
ayy or to give the young men OF the
1untry the idea that it is made up of =
iTed murderers and mercenary unde- | .
rabies. As a matter OF fact. the en- :
tad al