The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-04-12
U.S.NAVAL OFFICERS
MUzZLED BY WHITE
HOUSE, IS CHARGE
Henry Reuterdehl Tells Navy
League Daniels Didn't Direct
"BloW to Free Speech"
yxK BY FlsKE FORBIDDEN


pert and artist, at the convention OF
the Navy League at the New Willard
today.
The accusation Immediately follow
ed the announcement that Secretary
Daniels had refused to permit Ad-
miral Fiske to read paper before
the league, which had already been
approved by the department and pub
lished.
The direct result of the Reuterdahl
statement and the. reading of Secre-
tary Daniels letteh was an outburst
OF cheering for Admiral Fiske. Itis
paper, which was published in the
Naval Institute. was read by william
Lewis, mayor of Lake Forrest. Ill.
Renewed Outburst. =.
When Mr.. Lewis started to read the
paper he was greeted with renewed
outburst OF cheering. the thousand
delegates jumping to their feet.
stamping on the floor, and waving
hats. handkerchief and programs.
The incident came after series of
papers had been read which more or
less criticised the policy of Secretary
Daniels. Today especially severe crlti-
cisms OF the naval policy were made
in papers read by Charles G. Curtis, O.
New York, and Henry A. Wise Wood.
OF the Aero Club of America.
1t was at the conclusion of the read
ing OF Mr.. Curtis paper on the need
of a navy general stan and national
defense commission that Col. Robert II.
Thompson, president. announced the
action OF Secretary Daniels with re-
gard to the F1ske pa per.
ut Is with regret and sorrow that
announce the Navy Department has
taken this narrow view OF this matter"
Colonel Thompson said. II cannot UNI
derstand such an attitude, as 1t con-
fiicts so with the policy of its sister
department. the War Department. In
San Francisco the War Department not
only permits army officers to state
their views but 1t has actually ordered
Officers to deliver Lectures.
Invasion of Nights"
Behind any department rules stands
the Constitution of the United States
and the rights of the citizens of the
United States as defined by he Con-
stitution. That an officer OF fifty years
service should be denied the right 10
tell the people of the country the result
or that service as reflected in his views
is an invasion of those rights.
i 1T has always been my policy and
wish as president Of this league and
personally to respect the great Office OF
Secretary of the Navy
But cannot help expressing my SUR
prise and regret at this action. And 1
feel that must say that. in view of the
fact that the paper Admiral Fiske was
to read has already been approved by
the Navy Department. the only reason
or effect of this order is to prevent our
showing Admiral Fiske the esteem in
which we hold him by the greeting he
would receive when he read his paper.
William H. Stayton, Of Delaware,
sprang to his feet at the conclusion of
Colonel Thompson's announcement, and
declaring that the right of free speech
was placed in the Constitution even he
fore the right to life. liberty. and the
pursuit of happiness. proposed that when
the reading of Admiral Fiske's paper by
some other person was commenced the
delegates make such a demonstration as
would leave no doubt as to the esteem
OF the Navy League for the naval Of
ficer.
Proposes Three Cheers.
Before Colonel Thompson could intro
duce Mr.. Lewis. Henry Reiterdahl. the
naval expert and artist, demanded reco6-
milton. and in proposing three cheers for
Admiral Fiske declared:
1T is because of the right of free
speech that | can rise on the floor and
say that never I'm the history of thu
navy has an officer been placed in such
a false position as Admiral Fiske.
EVERY political administration mus
have its Drcyfus, and that the, admira
Is not allowed to read his own paper
once approved by the Secretary of tn
Navy, shows the nagging kind OF perse
Cutlon which naval officers might eN
pect when speaking the truth uncoverinl
the sins Of the naval administration.
And lot me say that the wholesale
tagging Of the admiral does not conn
from the Navy Department originally
but from the White House.
'As a common. every day member o
the League l rise and ask you to Civ
Admiral FiEke. our most accomplishe'
admiral Cf the navy, three ringing
cheers, as an appreciation of his ser
vices to the country, to the flag and t
the navy"
Two Extra Cheers.
The cheers were given and as some o
the delegates did not get in on the trs
two, two extra cheers were given. Ad
miral FisKe, who had been reporte
present during the early hours of tn
meeting, could not be found, havin
slipped out OF the meeting room jus
before the incident.
Advocating an increase in the In
come tax and the establishment or
national inheritance tax, Isaac n. Sci
lRnhn,. new lOIh DdhhSi1 toiu 80
delegates how adequate prepa -ednes
may be financed without hardship. :.
Mr.. Seligman said that In rai5inl
money for national defense II woul
be wise to rely neither on Indirect no
direct taxation alone.
Charles @. Curtis. of New York, call
ed the convention TO order, and intro
duced Henry A. Wise Wood, of IN
Aero Club OF America, former mem
Der OF the naval advisory board.
For Adequate Policy.
Mr.. Wood advocated an adequat
naval policy for the United States II
said that Germany. Japan and Russi
are sea-power nations with whom II
United States might become involved
war.
Great Britain. France. Italy, and Aus
tria, he said. formed a passive grou
which. In normal times, would have n
conflict of policies with the Unite
States. The proper naval policy, there
fore, would be to maintain fleet In tn
Atlantic superior to that of German
and one In the Pacific superior to this
of japan.
This afternoon the speakers al
President Edmund j. James. of the I'm
n Z