The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-02-05
CBy Winfiaji Junosl

expects to achieve success at the
next session of congress. The Navy
League is a nonpartsian patriotic
society which was organized for the
purpose of presenting to the citizens
of the United States accurate infor-
nation as to the condition of our
naval forces and ships and to awak-
en- public interest and activity in all
matters tending to aid, approve ana
deyelop efficiency of the navy. Gen.
Horace Porter, former ambassador
to France. is president OF the society;
Truman II. Newbcrry, former secre-
tary of the navy is vice-president
j. p. Morgan Jr is treasurer, and
Henry II. Ward is secretary. Prcsi-
dent Taft and Secretary of the Navy
Never are honorary members. Former
| President Roosevelt and practically
| all eX-secretares and all eN-assiSt-
ant secretaries of the navy are among
the list of honorary yice-presidents.
The navy league has been persia-
tent in its efforts 10 persuade cong
ress to increase the efficiency of the
ersonnel of the navy by a reformed
| system of promotion for officers.
! Several bills along these lines have
/ been presented TO congress at prey
| ious sessions, and have always fallen
little short OF the required vote 10
secure their passage. But ii has
| been noticeable that the number CT
congressman fayorinS these bills
have been steadily increasing, and
the navy league, Therefore, feels as
/ sured OF the passage of the bill at
the next congress.
It is proposed by ;he League that
this country adopt a continuing con
sistent and adequate program OF ma
val construction and make perma-
ncnt the navy departments reorsan-
ization OF the system of naval adj
ministration.
The cost OF constructing four bat
tleships annually urged by the league
is declared to be insignificant in com
parison to the expenditure entailed by
a possible war, which may result
should our navy be neglected, Al
though great steps have been taken
in the past few years TO bring condi-
ton OF peace between the nations OF
the world, it is pointed out that these
International efforts have accomplish
ed nothing as to the limitation of ar
maments. At the time of the prcsen-
tation of the Leagues program to con
gress duyIns To aSt session many
congressman urged that it was no
longer necessary to provide for great
fleet of battleships, as they would be
worthless within few years owing
TO the consummation OF a universal
peace program.
The League has declared itself to be
the foe of the systematic anti-naval
propaganda OF various individuals
and organizations of certain sections
OF the labor press, as occasionally
shown in apparent efforts to prevent
the enlistment OF desirable recruits
to the service.
Great influence has been eXerted TO
better the conditions surrounding the
enlisted men OF the service, to urge
that proper respect shall be shown
his uniform, and that the blueiacket
be appreciated in his true character as
self-respecting and valuable citizen.
The expulsion OF sailors and soldiers
from theatres and other places OF a
, musement upon different occasions,
owing to the fact that they wore the
uniform OF the United States, has been
source of considerable annoyance
to the League
For several years congress has ap-
propriated money for the construction
claimed by the League that If rad
claimed by the League that it is a
ical change is not made quickly il
our system within few years our
navy will be greatly outclassed by that
of most of the world powers. While
we are building only two battleships a
year. some of the nations are outdist
ancing us by leaps and bounds, and
/ within a few years, it is asserted. oul
navy will suffer by comparison witt
that OF European powers. Germany
for instance, is this year laying keels
for eight battleships, or armored cruis
ers equal in strength to battleshipS
and Great Britain and France are keel
ing pace with their. neighbor. w
cannot afford, recently declared one
of the high officials of the League, tC
waste money and our energies on any
thing approaching the haphazard in