The Washington herald., 1913-04-12

continued from f08e Ones
Iowa, of Vermont, Of Tennessee, and
Connecticut
THE popular mind must not be per-
nitted by any act or word to have such
an idea, the policy must be free OF
selfishness. II we get a larger navy, the
people must realize that we need it, not
because We have the vanity to boast OF
our proud navy dominating the sea, not
for naval glory, never for aggression,
never for conquest, and never to use il
to take away what belongs to others
never as a menace or a threat, never to
employ it to obtain colonies, or to
change the policy of our government
one whose influence is to be one of ex-
ploitation.
Former Boastful Attitude.
THE. day was when America, in Its
youth and in the exuberence of it's self
confidence, had the 4th of July attitude
toward everything il possessed, and was
rather inclined to emulate the champion
wrestler at the county court who brag-
ged that he could whip anybody on the
green, and in some instances this boast
may be called a staggering one, which
is not now in keeping with the grown
up men, which our republic has be-
come. But while the whole attitude of
boastfulness is n t one to be perpetuated,
it had its virtues as well as its vices.
''The man who is confident and self
reliant is apt to put up a strong fight,
IL he has to fight and make good his
boast, and / am not sure that the spirit
of self-reliance and confidence Is not q
much better attitude for America, un-
wise as il may seem, than an attitude in
which We are endangering ourselves now
in the eyes of the world of underestimate
ing and minimizing our strength and In
correctly advertising ourselves as weak
lings.
How must the public be informed?
Information must come by the depart
ment. disseminating ii through every
channel, and not from official reports
alone 1t must be correct and full; 1T
must be given out with some human in
terest; the popular Imagination must be
appealed to. There is not a hamlet or
village in America where the youth do
not grow up with deep interest in the
navy and it's achievements. They must
be made to know that the man behind
the gun today is just as well equipped,
just as able as the man who made the
battle of Lake Erie and of Manila Bay
and of Santiago famous.
THE people on the inside, knowing
the great needs and having the expert
people on the outside, lacking this ex-
pert knowledge and this intimate infor-
nation, are apt to take the other ex
IRENE. But in the matter of naval de-
velopment and strength, the men who are
directly charged with the control of the
navy cannot be blind to the fact that
the people on the outside have knowl-
edge of many things that are of value.
This knowledge may be crude. but 1t is
nd nr-iry noI he
operation. People must be invited to
make suggestions and to criticise. The
public officer who does not like sugges-
tons and criticisms has no business in
the public service, whether it be the
man who puts coal in the Dreadnought
or the man in the White House.
Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske, q. S.
N, replied to the toast. 1.-THE Fleet"
and said that an efficient fleet is the
end for which departments. bureaus, and
navy yards are created. Admiral Fiske
made strong plea for a greater navy,
and said that everything worth having
in this country must be protected.
In the absence of Secretary of Com
merce Redfield, Secretary of Labor Will
son was called upon to express his views
He said that without labor there is no
commerce. and without commerce there
is no need for a navy. Mr.. Wilson said
in the navy to handle the ships. He
urged a change in the standard of men
and wages of those who compose the
crews engaged on vessels Of the mer-
chant marine.
. Representative Joshua Alexander, in
his toast on THE outlook for Merchant
Marine" said that the future of an
American merchant marine was very
promising. He said I'VE will never have
an adequate navy until we have an ade-
quate merchant marine, the outlook fol
which is very bright
A letter from Cardinal Gibbons was
read, in which he said that although ne
is a man of peace he favors a navy
commensurate with the greatness of the
country. Letters indorsing the leagues
work were read from James Gordon Ben
nett Bishop James B. Funston, of Idaho,
and the American Peace Arbitration
League.
Following is the list of guests:
Vice President Thomas r. Marshall,
Hon. Lindley Garrison, Hon. William c.
Redfeld, Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Hon. John w. Kern, Hon. Henry Cabot