Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-17
BIG NAVY NEEDED
TO INSURE PEACE
Sea Defense Declared by Ban
quet Speakers to Be First
in Preparedness.
FOR INDUSTRIAL CONTROL

OF the various forms of preparedness
that are necessary to insure peace and
prosperity in this country naval pre-
paredness is foremost in importance,
according to statements made by speak
ers at the twelfth annual banquet Of
the Navy League of the United States
last night at the Raleigh Hotel.
TT is very well for the strategist to
tell US that the place to stop the enemy
is before he effects a landing" said
Representative A. P. Gardner of Mas
sachusetts. THAT is what everybody
says. especially those who do not want
universal military training on the land.
1t is all very simple If you have ships
and men to man them, but first you
have got to get the ships.
1T is very nice to talk about inter-
natfonalism as being the solution of all
troubles, but 1t is worthless talk. When
internatiohalism reigns we will live in
peace and tranquility, I suppose, and
we will have composite flag with
stripes of all colors in it and a big
broad yellow streak down the center"
Approves Part Of Mr.. Daniels Plans.
Representative Gardner said that,
while he disagrees with the Secretary
of the Navy on many topics. he believes
Mr.. Daniels is entirely right in his adj
vocacy of an increase in the basic pay
in the navy. the protection and main
tenance of the nations oil supply and
legislation which will give the Secre-
tary Of the Navy the right in times of
war to force manufacturing plants to
siuetrack all private work and devote
their entire energies on work which is
being done for the government
on orfh a- f1,.v, hi r \
Mr.. Gardner. II would empower the
President to require manufacturers and
shipbuilders to set aside a large por-
ton of their plants to be utilized ex-
tracts whenever crisis arises. whether
in times of war or peace. And as a
member of Congress I would vote at
this time to have just such a law en-
forced now, for I believe a crisis now
exists"
Col. Robert NJ. Thompson, president
of the Navy League and the first
speaker of the evening, spoke of the
seriousness of the situation which now
confronts this country. The day is not
far distant when this country must
| stand as a united people against any
Interference from abroad, he said, and
to make an effective stand an adequate
navy is needed.
Respects "Hickory Club"
Representative George F. O'Shau-
messy Of Rhode Island. speaking of the
preparedness movement in general and
with special reference to naval pre-
paredness, declared:
IT have a love for the olive branch.
but 1 also have a wholesome respect
for the hickory club"
Bernard n. Baker of Baltimore
hors Of NAVY pue
to give their support to the newly Gre
ated shipping board. of which he is
chairman. He spoke of the need of a
merchant marine as well as navy.
I'VE should not criticise the Presi-
dent or the Secretary of any one de-
in this country today" said William
NJ. Lewis, field agent of the Navy
League in the western states, for we
have a degree of preparedness which
| is all the people of the land have seen
At to provide. What we must do is to
show them where they are wrong and
impress upon them the necessity for
greater preparedness. Naval prepared
there must be commercial preparedness
and preparedness along many other
| lines"
Senator Reed -Smoot of Utah spoke Of
the sentiment against preparedness
which exists in the minds OF many peo-
pie in this country. Until this is over
come and they are correctly informed
on this all important matter this coun-
try is in danger, he said.
Urges Greatest Navy.
'I hope to see the time come when
the mere mention that man is an
American will mean protection for him
and his property no matter in what
land he may be, but that time will not
come until we have a navy that is sec
ond to none In the world said the
speaker.
Representative William E. Humphrey
of Washington declared that prepared
ness is stated in a single sentence: rs
| this country worth fighting for?"
Our forefathers thought so, he said.
IF they had not we would still be Brit
| ish subjects and the men of our land
would be giving their lives on the field
| Of battle in this great war in Europe. 1t
! is well to pray for peace. but we
pray let US prepare.
ter The banquet was attended by
| the wives of many of the members pres
| emit and other women who are identified
with the work of the Navy League. The
great educational work being done. by
| the woman's section of the league was
mentioned by several of the speakers.
An impressive feature Of the banquet
was the drinking of a silent toast to
Admiral George Dewey.