New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-12
MAY GOD GUIDE
WILSON, FLEET
OFFICERS TOAST
First Navy Entertainment
al FraunCes's Tavern
Swallowed by Crisis.
SONS OF REVOLUTION
ARE HOSTS OF 100
Lusitania Unmcutioncd, but
Washington. First in War" Is
Lauded as Example.

Admiral Prank F. Fletcher and fifty
officers o. the Atlantic fleet met At old
Frances Tavern Broad and Pearl
Streets. Yesterday afternoon for drill
IN early American history, interpreted
IN the light OF recent events. James
". Beck. former United States As
sistart Attorney General, was teacher.
For his subject 30 took George Wash
inCton, first chief OF the
United States Army. who IN l1N3 part
cd from his officers IN the room be
meath whore the Sons Of the Amer
lean Revolution entertained the naval
men yesterday.
Mr.. Beck emphasized a new phase
Of Washington s character, one entire
~ separate from the school book
glamour Of cherry trees and champion
ships IN veraclty. The Washington
commendcd 10 Admiral Fletcher and
his men was first in war and firm IN
the belief that an adequate army and
navy comprise the best insurance
against war.
a sense OF grave events impending
cast a spell Of seriousness over this
first special entertainment Of the navy
officers. Glasses tinkled as merrlly
as ever. Jokes about Secretary Dan
iel's grape juice order and the tenn
porary emancipation from Il travelled
around the tables until Robert Oily
plant. president OF the Sons OF the
Revolution Of New York State, raped
for silence.
In keeping with the traditions Of the
hosts and the historic associations OF
the place. the naval men and guests
drank a first toast 70 George Wash
ington.
Toast to Wilson.
The second was 20 Woodrow Wilson.
THE present oommander-in chief OF
our army and navy said President
Olyphant, as glasses were raised; May
an all-wise Providence guide and keep
him in this present crisis OF the world )
history
The Lusitania was not mentioned
once. Il was not necessary, for the
disaster was uppermost IN the men
minds. and the relation Of national un-
nreoaredness 20 the thing that went
unmentioned was apparent TO every
one.
OFcers from the war vessels arrived
81 the Seventv-ninth Street float at
11:45 a. m, where they we're met by
the United States ship Nigilant and
taken down the North RIVER 70 the
Battery. Automobiles transported the
quests 10 Fraunces's Tavern.
As Admiral Fletcher, the rear ad-
mirals and the commanders arrived a.
the historic steps trod BY many noted
men in Washington's time fife and
drum corps in Colonial costume played
Yankee Doodle and Marching
Through Georgia Each officer salut-
cd me colors held aloft by four color
bearers. Clarence Winthrop Bowen
and Philip Rhinelander, representing
the Sons Of the Revolution, stood IN
the front hall 20 greet each guest.
Lawrence L. Gillespie and K. A. {:
Smith Commissioner Of Docks and
Ferries. escorted Admiral Fletcher 70
his place Of honor at the guests table.
Breakfast was served at 1890, with
Mr.. ELEPHANT presiding.
Fletcher Speaks for Navy.
Seated at the table with the presi-
dent were James NJ. Beck, General Asa
Bird Gardiner, Colonel Edwin G. Glenn,
Rear Admiral De Witt Coffman, Tay-
Tor Olyphant, Commissioner r. A. {.
Smith. Rear Admiral y. K. Usher, Act
ing Mayor George McAneny, George 7.
Wilson, Rear Admiral c. J. Boush,
Samuel W. Fairchild, Rear Admiral
Walter Mclean, Brigadier General II.
+. Hodges, Colonel Daniel Appleton,
Captain Albert Gleaves, Captain Alex
ander 6. Halstead. Philip Rhinelander'