The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-03
PEACE IS DESIRED,
BUT WAR PROBABLE.
Real Service Predicted
for Naval Academy
Graduates.
EFFICIENT NAVY
ALWAYS NEEDED
Assistant Secretary Winthrop
Addresses Young Midshipmen
on Completion OF Their
Course-Control Of Sea AL
ways Crucial Point in Any
War Country May Wage.

Annapolis, Md, June a.-"Out of the
no more rivers to cross, sang the
members of the class of 1911, as they
wiggled and twisted through the long
arinory at the Naval Academy in joy
Gus serpentine dance to-day. With the
coveted diplomas for which they had
which they had only a short time before
received from the hands of Assistant
Secretary OF the Navy Beekman Win
throp. waving aloft, the young officers
marched through the yard and thence
into Bancroft Hall. where a rapid
change was made into new uniforms.
These uniforms are different in cut.
and, of even more Importance. bear q
narrow band of gold on the sleeves, to
show that the wearers are passed
midshipmen."
With the armory we'll filled. the bri-
gade OF midshipmen. minus those
about TO graduate. paraded on the main
floor under arms. The graduating class
marched in separately and took the
seats assigned them shortly after 10
o'clock.
Opening of Exercises.
The booming guns of the short bat
terry had announced TO the town that
the United States steamship Dolphin,
bearing Assistant Secretary Winthrop
and an official party. had arrived from
Washington during the night. and that
all was in readiness for his coming
ashore. When the party reached the
outside OF the armory the word was
passed inside the building that all was
ready. Immediately the brigade of mid :
shipmen under command of Lieutenant
w. Steel. came to attention" while the
band played a few strains from a mill
airy march as the officials, headed BY
Superintendent John H. Gibbons, idr,
Winthrop and the formers personal
aid. Lieutenant Adolphus Andrews
marched down the length of the room
and took places on the platform
Captain Gibbons Immediately intro
duced Representa- I.emuel P. Pad
gett. president of the board of visitors.
who delivered the "farewell" address
to the graduates
Need of Powerful Navy.
Expressing the belief that any flu
ture war in which the United States
may engage will largely, IL not en-
tirely. be decided by battle or battles
Of the sea, Mr.. Winthrop said he was
strongly Impressed with the necessity
of maintaining navy sufficient In
power TO diminish to minimum any
ddH6eT u lOSluS COnlTOt OIL tne sea. ID
Graduating at twenty-five you will
have about forty years of active ser
vice before you. and although we are
all most DESTROYS that war shall not
check the peaceful progress of the ma
ton we must recognize that this coun-
Try since its inception has never en-
joyed forty years of peace uninter-
rupted by war. The average period
between wars of this country has been
only a few months over twenty-nine
years. SO If anything like this ratio is
preserved in the future you will prob
ably see active service.
Understand me. that am most de-
sirous of continued peace. and sin
cerely trust that the agitation for
arbitration treaties and an interna
tionai tribunal with adequate power to
enforce its ordained DEGREES. will bear
fruit. but he who believes that inter
national peace has arrived and that no
more wars will occur enjoys an opti-
mism greater than ! can acquire.
The control OF the sea WILL In my
opinion, be the crucial turning point
OF any war in which we may be en-
gagged. and 1t is, therefore. evident
how incumbent 1t will be upon you SO
TO maintain the material and personnel
allowed us by Congress that it may
always be at the highest point of eff
,,sa 3 . p . .