Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-02
Mr.. WILSON TALKS
TO THE navy CLASS
Continued from First Page.)

SoHtiuucu iECf0 fAKe.)
your duty for moment. because there
might come a time when that weak
spot in you should affect you in the
midst of a great engagement, and Their
the whole history of the world might
do or did wrong. So that the personal
feeling l have for you is this:
We are all bound together. 1 for the
time being. and you permanently. I'M
der a special obligation. the most SOL
emn that the mind can conceive. The
fortunes of a nation are confided to US.
Now that ought not to depress q man
Sometimes 1 think that nothing is
worth while that is not hard. You do
not improve your muscle by doing the
easy thing; you improve it by doing
the hard thing. and you get your zest
by doing a thing that is difficult, not
thing that is easy. I would a great
deal rather. so far as my sense of en-
joyment is concerned. have something
strenuous to do than have something
that can be done leisurely and without
a stimulation of the Faculties. There
fore, / congratulate you that you are
going to live your lives under the most
stimulating compulsion that any man
can feel the sense. not of private duty
merely. but of public duty also. And
then If you perform that duty there is
a reward awaiting you which Is su-
perfor to any other reward in the
world. That Is the affectionate remem-
brance Of your fellowmen-their honor,
their affection.
No man could wish for more than
that or find anything higher than that
to strive for. And, therefore. I want
you to know. gentlemen. If it Is any
satisfaction to you. that 1 shall person.
ally follow your careers in the days
that ahead Of uffb
interest. I wish you godspeed. and re-
mind You that yours is the honor of the
United States"
Prior to the Presidents address and
the presentation of their diplomas the
graduates were addressed by Secretary
of the Navy Daniels.
Secretary Daniels Address.
Secretary Daniels welcomed the
graduating class at the Naval Academy
into actual naval service with an ad-
dress counseling a steady continuance
on their part of the training and stud
les begun at Annapolis in order that
the navy, dependent upon their knowl-
edge for efficient expansion and keep
ing. might remain equipped and pre-
pared always for any emergency. The
Secretary told the graduates they were
coming into the navy at the period of
It's largest expansion, It's highest eff.
cheney, and when lessons from Europe
point directly to the need OF trained
men In war If human life is to be
spared from the killing of men unpre-
pared and unskilled in the science of
I'VE have learned as never before
during the present world war" the Sec
rotary said. that courage on the field
Of battle is the commonest as well as
the most glorious attribute of our
humanity. The man who In patriotic
outbursts hurries to volunteer on land
or sea often fails to appreciate the
fact that his service lacks the highest
value unless he h trained in arms.
Saddest Lesson of European War.
The pathos of human lives sacrificed
In war because Of unreadiness is the
saddest lesson taught by the European
war. 1t Is a lesson which has served
to awaken America to the need of
men,"
The training that produces skill and
efficiency, said the Secretary, should be
among naval officers after
they are graduated II the navy Is to
profit by their services.
Another lesson Of the war, and one
needed In America" he continued. 'is
that industrial preparedness must go
hand in hand with building battle
cruisers and other naval craft, and Sc
curing moro trained officers and men.
Most Of the great nations had but dimly
understood that ability to quickly
the resources and convert in.