The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1911-03-05
Will Show that United States
Must Be Strongly Fortified
to Hold Its Present Po-
Sition.
ADEQUATE NAVY TO
GIVE THE RESULT
Speakers at Los Angeles
Meeting to Advocate Edu-
cation Of the People to
Demand.
BY a. n. OAOMUN

BY a. II. DA0MuN
Corresponding Secretary Navy League
Los Angeles, aCl.. March 4.-The
Navy league of the United States, of
which General Horace Porter, exam
bassador to France, is the president,
ex-secretary of the navy. Honorable
Truman H. Newberry, vice president;
J. p. Morgan. jr., of New York. the
treasurer. will hold its annual con-
vention in Los Angelas. California,
March 7th and Sth. The league has
membership of nearly seven thousand
representative Americans scattered in
some thirty-three different states.
1t has been the custom to hold the
annual convention in Washington or
some other city on the eastern coast,
where the bulk of the membership re-
side, but the directors recently decid-
ed that a suggestion that the next con-
vention should be held on the Pacific
coast would not only show the nation
publicity to the peculiar naval needs
Of the west coast and the new prob
lens arising ON the completion of the
Panama canal.
The leaders in the Navy league
movement appreciate the folly of jim
goism and war alarm, yet they believe
that the time is peculiarly ripe for a
campaign of wide publicity for the di-
rect purpose of educating the public
that an adequate navy is the best
guaranty Of peace; that is, peace with
honor and justice, not peace at any
price, 1t is appreciated that the pres
ent secretary of the navy has improv-
ed the administration of the Navy
Department and succeeded in securing
increased efficiency, coordination and
direct economy, largely through his
four responsible and expert advisors
commonly called aids" This plan,
however in order to effect perma-
nent administrative betterment should
be confirmed by appropriate legisla-
ton.
To Awaken ePople.
The league also appreciates the
need of educating the public that
I there should be more rapid promotion
of naval officers to the rank of flag
officers and captains. 1t is believed
that having the right officers of ex-
perience to chose from, will, when a
test comes, prove OF much more inn
portance than mere numbers of battle.
ships.
1t is also thought that the compile
ton Of the Panama canal and the vast
increase in commerce with South Am
erica will awaken the American peo-
, pie 10 the situation which confronts
the United States of having practical.
| ly all of our commerce carried in for
eign ships. The league is strongly in
American Merchant Marine which
shall be an auxiliary to the Navy in
time Of war. ..-s. e
The expressed purpose of the league
| in its constitution ITO spread before
the citizens of the United States in
| foramtion as to the condition Of the
| United States naval forces and ships
and to awaken public interest and ac'
tivity in all matters tending to aid
| improve and develop the efficiency OF
the Navy" In carrying out this pur-
| pose the league has the past year dis
tributed 10000 pamphlets including
Patriotic Reasons" Why Have a
Strong Navy" rs Strong Navy a
/ Guaranty of Peace?" Our CONNER
cial Dependence; Naval Charts -
etc. etc. A wide correspondence with
people who are either opposed to q
strong navy, or in doubt as to the wis
| dom OF maintaining a strong navy has
| been conducted. Literary and debat
| ing societies have been supplied with
| data and information TO enable stu
! dents to present the reasons for main
| tanning an adequte navy.
| 20 Maintain Prestige.
| The coming convention on the Pa
cific coast will be the most importan,
| in the history of the league. and il
should be the means Of calling the
attention of the people generally to
/ the need Of maintaining our present
| policy Of a navy commensurate with
our long coast lines and other terri
tory, and out Importance as a world
/ power.
| The Monroe doctrine is eighty-sev
en- years old but has received only a
passive acquiesence from the world
powers. This doctrine is a live force
in the world today simply because IL
| is promulgated by strong nation DO.
sessing strong navy. The Open
Door policy to China and the integ.
rtty OF that great nation of $50, 900. .0O1
Continued on Page Two)