The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-04-24

tue banks debts and put through re-
facilitating plan under which the
shareholders were assessed so per
cent. on their holdings. The bank
was saved, but some Of the fright.
ened shareholders sold out. Their in
terests were promptly bought by
Captain Weeks. The bank prospered
and later was combin with other
large banks. Boston financiers say
that Mr.. Hornblower and Mr. Weeks
ultimately made $25O,00O on the stock
which they purchased when the bank
seemed to be on the verge of ruin.
When l asked Captain Weeks about
the matter, he said II was young
man and couldn't afford to be a di-
rector in a bank that had closed its
doors in the faces of it's depositors,
many of whom were poor and most
of whom were small merchants and
vage-earners."
How" asked him, inasmuch as
he was a sailor himself once, and is
now on terms of intimacy with many
high officers. would you describe the
navy of the United States?''
AT the outbreak Of the war in Eu-
rope" he answered, "our navy, In my
opinion, was the second best in exis-
tence. Authorities for whom ! have
great respect did not agree with me.
They ranked our navy third or fourth
some giving France second place
and some believing Germany was
stronger at sea than ourselves.
Il still think that in ships alone we
were the equal Of France or Germany
and much the superior of Japan. Our
officers are the ablest in the world;
our crews are the most intelligent. No
nation gives its officers the training
that is given to the naval officers OF
the United States And the men In
lagos, in large part, are the finest
morally and physically af1oat.
In my days, back in 1880, let us say,
the sailor on shore leave wbc returned
to his ship sober was keelhauled or
otherwise punished by his mates All
that has changed. Intoxicated sailors
are see no more on the streets. Our
men are sober, serious and capable. |
When an estimate of any navy is
made, the personnel as well as the |
ships. must be considered.
Lessons Of the War.
80 l had thought that only Great
Britain excelled us as a naval power
at the outbreak of the war in Europe.
Since the war started, France and
Germany have geen building ships.
Our rank just now, therefore, is un-
certain. But we have good navy
Still, 1t should be much larger"
Has the war taught the world any
naval 1essons?"
"A great many. It has shown the
alue of aeroplanes, which are now
nown as the eyes of the fleet. They
re very necessary as scouts. Leav-
1g the deck of a vessel, they can
asily locate the enemy and are there
ore of the greatest possible use in
ne events that occur before battle.
THE submarines, too, it has been
earned, are of real and practical
ervice. All officers think they. have
ecOme a permanent addition to
very navy, but there is some dis
greement as to their general utility.
an a swarm of submarines, for in
lance, go to sea, meet a feet and de.
troy it? The question cannot DO
answered until such an attempt has
cen made and either failed or sue
3eded
Il asked one of the highest military
lthorities in the country If 1000 sui
arines, along with mines, could safe
lard the United States against in
asion-the mines to blow up the enc
les ships of shore, If any hap
ened to get that near. the submarines
aving met the rest and destroyed
lem before they came within striking
stance of our coasts The answer
as that such a measure of pro-
,ction, an invasion of the United
.ates would, to say the least. be
ade very difficult.
You see, no one can tell as vet