New-York tribune., 1917-06-19
The Democracy
Of Mr.. Daniels
By 6. w. Gilbert

WAsHINGToN, June III want TO
w tell story that Josephus Dan
iels tells proudly about himself as IL is
repeated here in Washington. It ex-
hibits the Josephan mind and explains
much that is the matter with the navy.
For there is good deal the matter
with the navy. Don't believe the press
agent stories about the wonderful con-
dition Of the feet. And don't doubt
that behind the veil of secrecy a very
much demoralized personnel is slowly,
but | will say surely, being whipped
into shape.
Cameron Winslow is one OF the best
officers the American navy has devel-
oped IN recent years. He is on the re
tired list, but he ought 70 be here in
Washington filling some important
place where his great abilities would
be at the service Of the nation. A few
days ago IT was proposed at confer
ence in the Navy Department that Ad-
miral Winslow be assigned to impor-
tant duty in New York.
Up spoke one of Mr.. Daniels's trust
ed advisers, Admiral Benson, saying:
Il don't think that would do. You
know, Winslow is very much Of club
man"
yes" said Mr. Daniels, "Winslow is
very much of clubman."
And that ended the possibility OF the
United States using this great officers
services in any large way.
The use of this man Of social promi-
nence somehow clashed with Mr.. Dan
iels's formulary Of democracy in the
navy. His great efficiency made no diff
ference. Every one will remember the
Secretary's slogan OF democracy in the
navy. When he entered Office he was
own brother of the Russian innovators
who have just ruled that the privates
in the army need not salute the OFF,
GERS. Mr.. Daniels, TO do him justice.
has grown away from good deal OF
that, but this Is the type OF minds
that accept slogans and hold them
man in Mr.. Daniels's presence as a
clubman is subtle and damning finesse.
Up rises the slogan and down goes the
officer.
If YOU believe the slogan of democ-
racy, not true democracy, but democ-
racy as the Daniels and the Bryan type
of mind grasps it, you must believe IN
J the Bryan idea Of a "citizen army
springing full armed into existence
overnight. We are now experiencing
a citizen navy" which largely sprane
into existence when we faced war
with Germany. At the beginning OF
the war the navy numbered about oO,-
000 To-day II numbers l5O,OOO.
Do you remember the dsmnlng accu-
sation that the General Staff OF the
army drew against the National Guard
that when enrolled for active service
il was made up more than half OF green
men? So is the navy to-day. The man
in the derby hat may not be on the
decks OF our battleships-1 cannot be
sure from the language in which the
denial of this report Is framed whether
he is or not--but II he is not he IS
I everywhere else.
Let us put the consequences of un-
preparedness briefly. The lesson IS
worth remembering. The second great
est naval power in the world, after
being in the war for two months. has
been able to make a small contribu-
ton TO the fighting force on the oEer
side. And in three months more-that
ia 70 saw. after being at war six months
its navy in general will be in eff
cien. condition. Fortunately 1t can
/ take time to get ready. Had a first
/ class power thoroughly ready been IN
position 20 attack US instantly upon
| the sea it would have shown us up.