New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-18
Americas Force Moral,
Saws Wilson at Luncheon

army and navy, to-day the citys guest,
the President of the United States"
When the President arose TO speak
ne was greeted by applause which last
ed several minutes. The full text Of
his address follows:
"Mr. Mayor, Mr.. Secretary, Admiral
Fletcher and gentlemen Of the feet:
This is not an OCCASION upon which, 1t
seems TO me. that it would be wise
for mo TO make many remarks, but /
would deprive myself Of great graft
fcatiOn II | did not express my pleas
ure in being here, my gratitude for the
splendid reception which has been &C
corded me as the representative of the
nation and my profound interest in the
navy Of the United States. (Applause).
Praises Daniels.
"That is an interest with which ]
was apparently born, for II began when
! was 4 youngster and has ripened
with my knowledge of the affairs and
policies of the United States. | think
1t is a natural, instructive judgment Of
the people of the United States that
they express their power appropriate
ly in an efficient navy, and their inter
est is partly, believe, because the
their character. not within our own
borders. where that character is under
stood, but outside our borders, where it
is hoped we may OCCASIONALLY touch
others with some slight vision Of what
America stands for.
But before ! speak Of the navy Of
the United States | want 20 take adj
vantage of the first public opportunity
| have had TO speak Of the Secretary
of the Navy, TO express my confidence
and my admiration and 10 say that he
has my unqualified support, for | have
counselled with him in intimate fash
ion. ! know how sincerely he has il
at heart that everything 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 moro than or
ganization. Efficiency runs into every
well-considered detail of personnel and
method Efficiency runs TO the extent
Of lifting the ideals of a service above
every personal interest. So that when
] speak my support OF the Secretary
of the Navy am merely speaking my
support Of what know every true
lover of the navy 10 desire and to pur-
pose; for the navy % the United
States is body specially trusted with
the ideals OF America.
Want No Nations Property.
81 like to image in my thoughts this
ideal. These quiet ships lying in the
river have no suggestion of buster
about them-no intimation of aggres-
sion. They are commanded by men
thoughtful Of the duty OF citizens as
we'll as the duty OF officers-men ac-
quaintcd with the traditions OF the
great service TO which they belong
men who know by touch with the peo-
pie of the United States what sort Of
purposes they ought TO entertain and
what sort Of discretion they ought 70
exercise in order TO use those engines
Of force as engines 10 promote the
interests OF humanity.
For the interesting and inspiring
thing about America, gentlemen, is that
she asks nothing for herself ex-
cept what she has right to ask for
humanity itself. Applause We want
no nations property; We wish to ques-
ton no nations honor: we wish to
stand selfshly In the way Of the de-
veopment of no nation: we want moth
ing that We cannot get by our own
legitimate enterprise and by the In
spiration of our own example: and,
standing for these things, IL is not pre-
tension on our part to say that we are
privileged to stand for what every ma
ton would wish TO stand for. and speak
for those things which all humanity
must desire.
when ! think OF the flag which
those ships carry, the only touch Of
color about them, the only thing in
their solid structure that moves as IL
il had a settled spirit in IL, II seems
10 me that ] see alternate strips Of
parchment upon which are written the
rights Of liberty and justice and strips
OF blood split 20 vindicate those rights,
and then, in the corner, a prediction Of
the blue serene into which every nation
may swim which stands FOR these great
things. cloud applause
"The mission OF America is the only
thing that . sailor or soldier should