New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-05
Navy Secretary Tells Off,
GERS and Bluejackets
He's Proud of Them.
STRIVE TO WIN
PROMOTION, HE URGES
Assures All That President Holds
Open Every Chance to
Gain Higher Rank.

| Secretary JosephuS Danlels OF Nhe Na''
Depa rtment Yesterday met a thousand or
more men and officers Of the war vessels
now at anchor in the navy yard AT the
Naval Branch OF the Young Mems Chris
/ tan Association. in Brooklyn. MI.
Daniels assured them that II was the de-
sire Of both himself and President wilson
/ that all OF them should strive to rise from
the ranks. and that they would he given
every chance TO obtain promotion
NJ. Daniels was compelled 10 make two
speeches 70 reach all the men who had
come 10 hear him. His first address was
from a chair in the main hallway OF inc
building There 500 or 500 sailors had
gathered after TIE gymnasium vas nlied'
The men greeted Mr.. Daniels with three
cheers and tiger
Among those present in the gymnasium
were Mr.. and Mrs. Finley j. shepard
Commandant Albert 6. Gleaves oil the
Navy Yard. Admiral Charles !. Bangor
who is in charge of the fleet. with Com
nander Hughes his chief OF staff. ana
Flag Lieutenant McCandless and Captain
J. <. Glennon of the battlcship Wyoming.
In his two talks Secretary Daniels said, in
part:
"Cn March | suddenly found myself
with so. 900 sons. and they are the o0.0Oo
reasons why am here. The navy IS not
the Dreadnoughts. not the aeroplanes. not
the guns, not the torpedo boats, not the
Droiectiles. The navy Of the United states
is before me to-day You come from all
American homes 10 make up the finest
body of men the sun SHINES on. Recent
" we had worldwide demonstration OF
the splendid personnel OF the navy.
Il was proud of the news that came
from Europe of the way in which you
conducted yourselves. You won the COM
menGation of every country you visited
The trip was made not only for your
pleasure and training. but to show the
mothers and the fathers OF America that
the navy is place where their sons can
be educated I'm the rudiments and techni-
cally trained and at the same time en-
joy the benefit of foreign travel and to
let the world know the stuff you are
made Of
Mr. Daniels then read an editorial from
a paper of Nice which said that il wished
70 place on record its admiration for
the discipline of the American sailors
in their visit to France. They not only
acted like gentlemen, il continued, but
by their respect for The star Spangied
Banner taught a lesson in patriotism 10
some Frenchmen who do not display a
like respect for The Marseillaise. TINS
editorial tribute was one of the finest
compliments that had ever been paid our
navy. the Secretary said. and added:
The best OF it is that this came after
a trip among those people when an opin-
ion was widespread that the men of the
navy were not models of sobriety and
clean living. CLEANLINESS Of life and So
briefly are the first rungs of the ladder
of success. l wish | could make every
man in the navy believe that the honor
Of the nation is in his keeping
Mr. Daniels referred TO the resorts for
the sailors provided by the Young Mems
Christian Association and the advantages
the men derive from them and similar in
stitutions in moral and spiritual welfare.
I'VE don't want any men in the navy
who are without ambition" Mr.. Daniels
continued THE policy Of the Navy De-
partment is to educate the men. and when
that is accomplished we will not only
have loyal men, but men of high technical
skill. worthy of the traditions that were
created when Perry was al Lake Erie
and Dewey was at Manila. Higher IN
telligence, better skill. purer lives make
for a better navy. We will not raise its
standards without them.
Il wish 10 say, in behalf OF the Presi-
dent and of myself, that every avenue OF
promotion and elevation we can we will
keep open for you. We have now two
rear admirals who raised from the ranks.
and there is no place that YOU cannot
reach"