The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-29
Glass of 1873 Graduated at An
napOlfs>3 Mo. in Advance.
Secretary of Navy Delivers Ad-
dress for the President.
into SERVICE Immediately
Cites Dewey's History to Spur
Youthful Officers.
"Fate of NatiOns-Even World
May Be Decided by YOu."

Annapolis, March 29.-The class of
1873 midshipmen, commissioned at the
naval academy today. three months
ahead of their regular graduation,
were told by Secretary Daniels that
the nation expected them to be ready
for the day that may come-hoW
soon, who can ell?-when upon your
GOODNESS and knowledge and leader
ship and ability to shoot straight may
depend the fate of a decisive naVai
engagement.
The secretary spoke as the repre-
sentative of President Wilson who had
found it impossible to attend because
of the international situation. Il
CT bring you the greetings OF your
commander-in-ch who sends you a
message of confidence and bids you
Godspeed," said Mr.. Daniels.
Your own country faces crisis IN
this emergency the president, who mas
declared his belief that the American
navy ought to be incomparably the
most adequate navy in the world, IN
the exercise of a discretion vested in
him, will commission you three
months ahead of the usual PERIOD
Add $4,000 Men.
Whatever this country may pc
called upon to do, its CHEZ and Ilrst
reliance will be upon the navy. For
tunately the country has officers ana
men not surpassed in any naval sue
cesses To their number we are auu-
ing TODAY 1S3 officers from the naval
academy, and we are drawing to its
enlisted strength an additional 25,OOo
men from the alert and reSolute youth
of the country, who, added to the pres
ent personnel. will give us the finest
bodv of enlisted men any offlcerS
were ever privileged to instruct ana
lead.
.sYou come into a service with a
glorious record, respondent with no
Bile traditions. You enter at a time
when grave responsibilities fall with
out days of waiting upon YOUR youhS
shoulders
The secretary said that his advice
to every young officer would be, Get
yourself a naval hero, TOR emulauon
during the years of service ahead. He
declared it was by continually asking
himself What would Farragut do!
that Admiral Dewey himself became
the American naval hero who should
be emulated before all others;
THE history of Admiral Dewey"
Mr. Daniels continued. furnishes one
Of the many examples that it is only
the man who makes ready in the days
of calm who is fully ready in the days
of storm
Dewey at Manila Bay.
"a call to duty in the navy is ever
quick and imperative. Dewey was
| collected and capable and cool on the
morning he sailed into Manila Bay.
pedoes-Go ahead Admiral Dewey
had duties at Manila as important and
in some respects more delicate and
difficult after the battle as in that
hour under fire. He was familiar with
the law and never by word or action
usurped the function of the civil gov
eminent which must always be su-
preme in international matters as well
as in domestic rule. No people ever
need fear military usurpation when
| off lie
Dewey, Jealous for government by law,
with the sword acting only at the
direction of the civilian ruler.
There has come. 1 am glad to say
to you. a new understanding of the
spirit of the navy by the people. And
i likewise in the navy there has come
an appreciation of the people.
viii the peoples faith in the navy
as it's protector be justified? VIII
they safely look to it as the strong
! right arm of government without
thought that powerful navy endan-
gers the supremacy of civilian au-
thority? The answer is for you and
your fellow officers and those who
come after you. L have tested the
quality of the men of the navy of to-
day. L think 1 know their loyalty to
the country and to it's traditions, and
their whole-hearted devotion to the
ideals of their profession.
''What Would Dewey DO?''
1--WE live in tense times. Great is
sues stir the depths of men. Small
questions are shrivelled. Questions
big with the fate not alone of ma
tions, but the world may be decided
| by you. L do not venture to prophesy
what lies before you. But whether
your early service is in peace or
whether you are called to an early
baptism of fire there will be always
the incentive to high courage and to
daring if in every emergency you ask
yourself the question, What would
Dewey do?'"
kAuoH, na0nE nnIc0AEn