The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-18
Chief Executive Reviews the Atlantic Fleet and Speaks on the Navy at Luncheon Following
U. s. ASKS NOTHING EXCEPT WHAT TT HAS
 A RIGHT TO ASK
We Want No Nations Prop erty and We Question No Nations Honor, Declares President in Address


 New York. May I7.-President WILL son today reviewed the Atlantic fleet In the Hudson river and at a luncheon rendered to him on shore by the city of New York told q distinguished gath erfng what the country and it's navy stood for. The great battleships that lay in the river. he said, "were engines to promote the interests of hu- manity.-
 'sThe inspiring thing about America the President asserted. 'is that she asks nothing for herself except what she has right to ask for humanity itself. We want no nations property; we wish to stand selfishly in the way of the de. velopment of no nation. It is not pretention on our part to say that We are privileged to stand for what every nation would wish to stand for and speak ing for those things which all humanity must desre.'
 l The spirit which brooded over the river today, said the President was just a sol | emn evidence that the force of America 1 is the force of moral principle, that there is not anything else she loves and that there is not anything else for which she will contend
 | The President took occasion to pay tribute to Secretary of the Navy Daniels, who sat beside him.
 l Although the day was damp and chilly, with occasional downpours of rain the weather abated in no way the enthu- siasm with which New York greeted the : head og the satien an the forenoon he reviewed land parade Of 5000 saiors and marines. and from the moment he set foot on shore until he returned to the Mayflower to review the fleet, his prog ress through the streets was continuous ovation. He was plainly touched by the welcome accorded him.
 Patriotism Shown l Everywhere a spirit of patriotism was shown. Many men and women seized every opportunity to tell the President of their support in the present interna- tional crisis. Thousands stood in the chill drizzle while the brigade of sailors and marines marched up Fifth avenue. and during the afternoon. with cold, damp wind blowing across the Hudson ana \ thousands more later thronged vantage i points to watch the Mayflower as she passed up the river between the warships The Presidents remarks at the lunch con were greeted with tremendous ap plause
 The text of the Presidents address fol- lows:
 ''Mr Mayor MT Secretary, Admiral | Fletcher, and Gentlemen of the Fleet
 This is not an occasion upon which it seems to me it would be wise for me make 1 many remarks, but I would deprive my 1 self of great gratiication if 1 did not 1 express my pleaure at being here, my l gratitude for the splendid reception which has been accorded me as the representa- | tive of the nation and my profound in- terest in the navy of the United States.
 This is an interest with which | was i apparently born. for it began when l was 1 a youngstcr and has ripened with my 1 knowledge of the affairs and policies of the United States. I think it is natural, obstructive judgment of the people of the United States that they may express their power appropriately in an efficient navy and their interest is partly. I believe, be- l cause that the navy's powers is con- tinued to express their wishes protecting lour own borders where its character is understood. but outside our border. where it is hoped we may occasionally touch others with some slight vision of what America stands for
 Praises Garrison
 "But before I speak of the navy of the United States further. want to take ad- vantage of the first public opportunity have had to speak of the Secretary of the Navy to express my confidence and my admiration. and to say that he has my unqualified support for have counselec with him in intimate fashion. I know how sincerely he has 1t at heart that ev, : erything that the navy does and handles should be done and handled as the people of the United States wish them handled , because efficiency Is something more thai l organization.
 "Ehiciency runs into every we'll consd l cred detail of personnel. and system. Eff ciency runs to the extent of lifting thu ideal of service above every persona interest So that when I speak my sup , port of the Secretary of the Navy, I an merely speaking my support of what
 know every true lover of the navy de i. sIres, and that is to propose for the heat | of the navy of the United States spe cial body of undergraduates well trusted
 No Aggression
 k"I like to imagine my thoughts Including
 this idea These quiet ships lying in thu river have no suggestion of bluster abou
 them, no intimation of aggression: The' : are commanded by men thoughtful of thu D duty of citizens. as well as the duty o D officers-men acquainted with the age' V traditions of the service to which the. } belong Men who know by touch wha the people of the United States want : what sort of purpose they ought to niir 5 ture, and what sort of discretion the n ought to exercise in order to use those en ! zines of force as, engines to promote tn e interests of humanity.
 6 "For the interesting and inspirinl : lthing about America. is that she ask e nothing for herself. except what sh f has right to ask for humanity itseli We want no nations property; we wis . to question no. nations honor, we wis F to stand selfishly in the way of no ma 2 tion; we want nothing that we canno r ret by our own legitimate enterprise
 ACeatlhued = Haos TweA