The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-22
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

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ment has been the particular OBJ
- ject of attack on the part of all
of their own to grind as we'll as those
who, inspired entirely by implacable ha-
tired of the present national administra-
ton, have systematically distorted or
completely ignored the facts because the
facts were exceedingly bothersome. Facts
did not fit in with a campaign of criti-
csm and Misrepresentation.
During this period the discussion over
the navy. the great bulwark of our ma
tional defense, has been marked by Bit
terness as we'll as confusion. Out of the
mass of charges. counter charges and
determinations, a veritable Babel, have
arisen unfortunate prejudices, prejudices
of character blind to the truth.
Congress and the President are putting
the finishing touches on the greatest
government. 1t is legislation calculated
to make the American navy impregnable.
To accomplish this. more money is being
expended than that appropriated In IA
single year by any naval power IN the
world. Notwithstanding all this. the in
fluence of ignorance and hate is still felt
and the danger. born of such situation
continues in terms of uncertain national
confidence and shaky national self re-
spect.
Admiral George Dewey, member of the
American navy since. 1854. respected and
venerated as a commanding figure in two
wars, believes that the American people
should know the truth. He thinks in the
interest Of the nation that the time has
come to still the tongue of SANDER. No
man in the United States is SO pre-emi-
nently qualified to discuss conditions In
the navy as is Admiral Dewey. Since
1898, as member of the general board,
it has been his duty to pass upon naval
plans, paval needs and naval defects. BY
no stretch of the imagination can any
suspicion of Interior motive be laid at
the door of Admiral Dewey. He is abso-
lutely beyond the reach of partisan criti-
csm or manipulation No administration
has the power to hurt him. BY law he is
exempted from the usual retirement pro-
visions. If he ever should desire to retire
\; at mi
pay No partisan quarrel has ever
reached his high position. What. then,
in coming forward in the interest of
truth, does Admiral Dewey say?
1.-THE attacks that have been made upon
| the navy are as false as they are shame
| full 1t is not a junk heap There is no
Generalization. Both in material and
personnel we are as good as any, our Off
GERS are as good as any, and our enlisted
men are the finest in the world"
In such terms does Admiral Dewey dis
pose of the blanket indictment, born In
Misrepresentation and fostered by selfish
interests, against the present manage
ment of the navy. But Admiral Dewey
does not stop there. He goes into details.
He explains the rea sons back of his as
sertion. Referring to the naval bill just
enacted he says:
TT is the best bill ever passed by
either house of Congress. 1t takes the
| fve-year programme of the general board
and changes It into a three-year pro-
gramme Il VIII restore us to second
place and enable the United States to
meet on equal terms any power in the
world, save one. 1t ought to be the hope
| of every American that this legislation
will be received without partisan division.
l want to see American behind 1t.
want to see this vital question of ma
tional defense lifted above parties and
partisanship."
In a way making 1t easily understand
able to a layman Admiral Dewey dis
cusses the reasons why the provisions OF
the legislation satisfy the tactical and
strategical needs. much of 1t technical,
bound up in the great problem of sea
defense. He refers to the experience
| gained as result of the conflict in Eu-
rope and how 1t has been applied to
American needs He then discusses the
feeling In parts of the country that the
F., expenditure of new millions on the navy
violates American traditions and marks
a surrender to the war maddened spirit
of Europe. Prefacing an outline OF his
convictions with the statement that mer
who know what war Is and what wal