Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-06
THE NAVY LEAGUE.
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

is warning on socialism or on socialist
leaders, but its officers feel that no good
END is served by trying to weaken the
navy or to give the young men of the
country the idea that il is made IN of
hired murderers and nercenary undesir-
ables. AS matter of fact the enlisted
personnel includes some of the best
brain and brawn among the young men
of the United States
X X
While the National Guard and the or
ganiZed militia OF the United States is
sub ect to
Make Naval Militia the call of
Like National Guard. tine tn r onss mt
war. Congress has never put the naval
militia on a definite status by legislation
The Navy League is strongly in favor Of
the naval militia being put on the same
basis as the National Guard. 1t is felt
that this would add largely to the ca
paclty OF the United States Navy to make
sudden preparation for eventualities
something like 1000 naval militiamen en-
listed in the navy in the Spanish war
and gave good service. Many of the
leading members of the Navy League
were naval militiamen. Truman H. New
berry, former Secretary of the Navy, was
one or these. He was in active service
In good stead when he became head of
the Navy Department.
Inc league advocates a naval reserve
not only in respect to men, but vessels
as Well. 1t holds these vessels should be
built under conditions in which the gov
eminent can take them over for l1se I'm
case or war. 1t favors the upbuilding Of
the merchant marine. but it is not an
advocate of indiscriminate subsidies. 1t
noids that a system Of subventiOns should
cd md oil
the services actually rendered.
IN general way the league in this
country Is similar in purpose to navy
leagues in such countries as Germany,
Great Britain and France. 1t is, how
ever. organized on distinctive plan.
Doubtless the most powerful navy league
In the world is that OF the German en-
pire. This organization has an enormous
membership and is a powerful adjunct
to the movement for the upbuilding Of a
great German navy. Emperor William
has so vigorously encouraged the league
that 1t may almost be said he has COM
manded his subjects to join. The chill
dren in the schools are encouraged to en-
roll. something that would stir sharp
criticism If attempted in the United
States.
One Of the prime movers for navy
league in this country is Col. Robert NJ.
Thompson
Rendered Valuable Service Of New
During Spanish War. wo .A tr wno
ed at the Naval Academy at Annapolis
and who takes keen interest in the up
building of the navy. Another man who
has worked arduously for the building
UP OF the organization in this country In
Secretary Henry H. Ward of this city.
Mr.. Ward is a man of wide interests and
is one Of two men sent abroad by this
government as secret agents in the Span
ish war for the purpose Of discovering
the whereabouts of the Spanish fleets.
He went to Europe as a Canadian.
chartered yacht in England, did val
liable service in giving the Navy Depart
ment information Of the whereabouts of
the Spanish warships and narrowly es-
capped being hung by the Spaniards at
San Juan. Porto Rico. Mr.. Ward is a
stanch believer in the navy and has
spared neither time nor energy in the
movement to build up the Navy League
believing that strong navy is not the
instrument Of jingoism, but the best
guaranty of peace.
Observation-Disclosures COMMERCIAL
CONGRESS.