Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-22
THE CONVENTION OF THE NAVY
LEAGUE.
(By Congressman Clyde H. Tavenner.
From Congressional Record of
Nav 8. 1861

! Mdy I11O.D
! Mr.. Tavenner. Mr.. Speaker. for the
| benefit of historians of the future |
desire to report, for preservation in
! the archives Of congress, that the Navy
/ League of the United States, the par
ent of the militaristic propaganda in
| this country, has held it's annual con-
venti0n for year of our Lord 1916, con-
vening in the national capital on Mon
| day, April 10, and adjourning Thurs
day, April IS.
| All of the sessions were we'll attend
ed. 1t was observed, however, that
the usual quota of secretaries of the
navy and chairmen of naval affairs
committees, as well as senator's. rep
resentatives, and other public officials
who must depend upon the votes of
the people for their retention in office
were conspicuous by their absence. To
account for this phenomena, deponent
sayeth not. Nevertheless he has his
own idea.
1t may be said that the convention
was one of the most remarkable in the
history of this now famous organiza-
ton, not, however, because of any
3
did not do. One of the most striking
features of the convention was its fail
ure to take action on a number of
matters of wide interest, the NAVY
Leagues attitude toward which has
been much debated
| Extreme patriotism was the KEY
note of the convention. Tumultuous
applause greeted every expression OF
patriotism and willingness of the
people to die for their country. Larger
naval appropriations were advocated
The smallness of the army was de-
| plOred. The general feeling among
the delegates seemed to be that the
nation was in very grave and immed-
late danger from invasion by a for
eign foe. AS the sessions and ban
quets proceeded from day to day the
patriotism of the delegates grew
apaCe, becoming more and more in
tense, until it appeared possible that
! the convention might adjourn, form a
| procession, march to the nearest re-
, cruiting office, and enlist in a body.
| Owing possibly to the fact that no
one of the delegates thought to offer
such motion, however, the conven-
ton finally adjourned, and the dele
gates returned to their several homes
without enlisting, either collectively
or individually. Nor, so far as can be
learned, did any of the sons of the
Navy League officials appear at the
recruiting Offices.
In view Of the fact that the NAVY
League officials are looked upon bv
some as models in citizenship, BRAY
cry and patriotism, and that. so far as
IS known, they themselves do not denv
these virtues, their action in failing
to enlist was deplored by many citi-
zens, and especially because on the
very days the convention was in ses-
sion the newspapers reported that
American troops were far into Mex
leo. and that their lives were in actual
peril because of the lack of sufficient
enlistments
Mr.. Speaker, the United States army
| is still in need of recruits, and the Of
flcers and directors of the NAVY
League. or their sons, still, therefore
| have golden opportunity to set ey-
amples in practical patriotism to the
farmers and wage earners of the ma
ton by enlisting and taking their
place IN the ranks at the front If
there are any who desire to enlist. |
stand ready to cooperate. If any of
the Officers OF directors of the NAVY
League will communicate with mo
giving their addresses. will be glad
TO make enlistment as convenient as
possible tor them by requesting the