The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-07-15
Nays PART
IN BIG AFFAIR
OF THE PART TAKEN
BY THE u. S. NAVY IN
BIG AFFAIR
NO ~INDIRECTNESS
The Policy of the Navy Is To
Deal With Diplomatic Cues
tons Without Evasion

New Port, r.. l., July 13.-How the
nations foreign policy often hangs
the action and discretion Of a
naval officer commanding a warship
in a PARKWAY port, was discussed by
Secretary Daniels here today at the
opening Of the Naval War College ses-
sion. He pictured the duties Of the
naval officer in the role of diplomat,
recalled incidents in which command
ers Of American war ships in foreign
ports had opened new chapters in
American history, and urged officers
at the College and Marine officers to
train themselves in international
law and the languages in preparation
such emergencies.
1.-THE Navy, in the technical sense"
said the Secretary, must leave to the
Department of State the settlement
Of international policies, and properly
so. But, in the practical operations OF
affecting other nations, the
action of the youngest naval officer
commanding the smallest vessel in a
mort might determine the &C
lion of our government, independent
Of the policies which the trained d.
might have planned. In
many quiet ports, the first American
seen is an officer of the Navy. In
surveying, in exploration, in protect
of Americans, but is often called
places where no consul or other
government official has gone. 70
hose people he incafnates the Ameri-
Jan government. He is Uncle Sam.
His department, his spirit, his ideals
Is seen in his dealings, make the first
and often only, impressions those peo-
pie have Of our country and its atti-
Jude toward them. If he be unin-
as the requirements Of inter-
national law, what consequences OF
,vil may flow from his, Ignorance.
he lack tact and a sense of cour
.esy, how he may block the path Of his
country to serve the people to whom
le is sent and prevent the opening of
ioors through which his countrymen
night enter to promote commerce
md foggeties of friendliness and
There had been no SECRETARY OF
state, Mr.: Daniels said, WHO had avail
I'd himself more Of the service of the
laval officer as a diplomat, "who has
shown confidence in his ability, his
Judgment and his absolute trust
than had Secretary
Delicate Situations
He recalled the demand made for
/ salute Of the Stars and Stripes by
Admiral Mayo at Tampico as an ex-
ample Of how the action Of a naval
officer in a foreign country precipi-
,ated IAN issue not contemplated IN
diplomatic channels, and i~rrevocably
his government to a policy
action in support of his demand"
achievement in the opening OF
Japan to commerce, Dewey's brilliant
,ictory and his administration in
Philippine waters, and finally Rear
Admiral Fletcher's occupation Of Vera
Cruz: were pointed to by the Secre-
AIRY as conspicuous instances OF the
louble service required Of the Ameri-
AN naval officer abroad"
Ambassador J%usserand Of France
md James Bryce, former British am
,assador to the United States were
auded by the speaker as modern
who, he said, had re
i~ndirectness and evasion with
and sincerity"
DID, oIunnf{1n hu trofnin0 an6 nv
character" Mr.. Daniels continued, "the
laval officer is not fitted for a di-
,lomacy calling for assembling, for
yes and meaning perhaps or
or double dealing. If he Is to serve
lis country abroad for it's good 1t
must be a service that Is marked by
'rankness and sincerity, and 1t is that
,ort of service which made their d.
,lomacy Of Perry and Dewey as hon
,rable and useful as the eminence as
and which has given them a
permanent place in the affections OF
heif countrymen. Certainly we may
'egard Perry as the greatest diplomat
which the american navy has ever
furnished to- exhibit most Of its rep
'esentatives have never failed to ex-
libit the high gifts Of diplomacy when
called Upon to face the situation which
'equired the exercise of the art.
There is very recent proof that
Perry was a true prophet when he
oresaw friendship between the
United States and Japan. In the
Mexican trouble the Jananese
been scrupulous to prevent the
shipment of arms by Japan manufac-
urers."
Temptation Of Imperialism.
If all American diplomacy in the
val had been
modelled after that Of Perry's, the
Secretary declared "the United States
night not have yielded to the temp
alton of Imperialism. If u govern
nent had followed closely the di-
olomatic pact set by another great
commodore of the United States navy
Who himself followed the diplomacy
Perry and squared his every action
With the basic doctrines Of u re-
public, we would not have strayed so
ar afield. We would at least have
)een consistent in u diplomacy;
would not have laid down n
'ule for Cuba and another for the
Philippines.
Recalling various incidents in which
American officers had had a part in