The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-12
Of Fighting Force in Danger From
Daniels's Idealisms, Naval Officers Believe

the officer. To this end he has estab-
lished on every ship and at every shore
station q system OF schools In which
the enlisted men are to receive aca-
demic and technical instruction. in full
filment Of his idea that every battle
ship should be Q school and every Of
flcer a teacher"
This has for years by very necessity
been in some degree the principle Of the
navy, but Mr.. Daniels has extended the
application Of this principle to degrees
not altogether relished by the officers.
The story comes up from the fleet at
Vera Cruz that on the occasion OF the
formal visit OF a European Admiral to
an American battleship 1t was purposed
to accord him the customary honors, in
GLIDING sideboys stationed at the gang
way. When the sideboys were ordered
to attend a messenger reported to the
officer Of the deck:
"Mr. Jones says no 10 sorry. sir. but
the sldeboys are in school anu cannot
be disturbed"
While there 10 doubtless some exag-
geration IN this tale, 1t is fairly illus
trative Of what officers regard az proba-
bic to result from the attempt to con-
vert warships into floating universities.
There is method in Mr.. Daniels's no.
lions about the enlisted men Of the
navy and much practical wisdom I'M
doubtedly derived from his experiences
as a newspaper publisher and direc-
tor Of the Bryan and Wilson campaign
publicity bureaus.
Mr.. Daniels regards his school IDEAS
as the best asset he has for the pur-
pose of advertising the navy. lie hopes
by II to attract the very best young
men Of the country. Similarly. he
press ACCENTED" the cruise OF the hat
tleships to the Mediterranean last fall
for the same purpose o, stimulating en-
lstments.
Recently he ordered that ten vecan
cies IN the pay corps, carrying Officers
commissions, should be filed only by
enlisted men. and he refused TO permit,
number Of young men then studying
In Washington In preparation for taking
the examinations to which they had
been designated to continue their candi-
dacy. The examinations We're ordered
reduced IN standard 10 the probable
level NJ the enlisted mems abilities, and
We're postponed senegal months in order
to give them moro tim In which to pre-
pare.
OF the same charac tee was his acton
in sending for an enlisted man one day
! shaking him by the hand, telling him
! how much he thought OF all the mer
in the service and then advertising &c
| the newspaper correspondents this IN
| terview. lie has asked Congress for G
| law permitting him to appoint numbers
| OF enlisted men TO the Naval Academy
| No officer In the navy objects TO The
Secre,ary's policy Of assisting tho en-
| listed man TO better his position In life
They maintain that the spirit Of M
navy Is now one Of mutual helpfulness
in which officers generously give o.
their time and knowledge in aiding am
bilious young men anxious TO learn.
| They assert, however. that the prime
| function OF the navy = TO maintain
itself as an efficient fighting force. com
petent AZ all times to protect the safety
Of the nation In whatever manner ma,
be necessary. This fundamental func
ton, 10 the performance of which {
n most rigid discipline Is essential L
in danger OF being lost sight OF. II !!
declared, as tho result OF an overhaul
gence IN democratic theories.
Naval officers cannot forget IN hi!
connection that there Is evidence ,en3
ing to show that Mr.. Daniels actually
drew up an order abollshins the sepe
rate messes on board ship and com
polling tho officers 20 eat with the en-
listed men, a system Of living on boar
ship which would undoubtedly DO a.
offensive to the enlisted men as to tn
officers.
Only by reminding him Of tho racia
questions involved. because Of the pres
ence Of negroes on board warsh,ps, wer
naval officers able TO dissuade tho Sec
rotary from issuing the order. The IA
cial Issue OF course hit Mr.. Daniel
right where he lived. ~ ne 10 . nativ
OF North Carolina.
Neither can naval officers forget tina
Mr.. Daniels some time ago issued a
ed,ct that no designations from the nav
would be accepted by him. Very FEY
officers resign; few care to DO 40. Blu