New Britain herald., 1917-03-29
DEWEY HELD UP AS
 GOAL FOR ENSIGNS

Daniels God-Speeds Glass at An-
 napois on Its Way
 COUNTRY LOOKS TO NAVY Urges Graduates Ever to Uphold
 Prestige of Service and Says No One
 Knows How Soon They Will Be
 Needed.
 Annapolis, March 29.-The class of 1SS midshipmen commissioned at the naval academy today, three months ahead of the time of their regular graduation. were told by Secretary Daniels that the nation expected them to be ready flor the day that may come-how soon, who can tell ?-- when upon your coolness and know ledge and leadership and ability to shoot straight may depend the fate of a decisive naval engagement
 The secretary spoke as the repre- sentative of President Wilson, who had been asked to deliver the gradua- tion address but had found it inn possible to come because of the inter- national situation.
 
 chief, who sends you Q message of confidence and bids you God-speed,". said MT. Daniels. His heart is with you today. He does not, however, feel warranted in making any address in the present condition of affairs. even to the graduates of this institution, to whom he would love to unburden himself.
 World in Vortex of War.
 "You are to receive your commits sion in day when nearly all the world is in the vortex of war and no people can feel that they may not be drawn into it. Your own country faces a. crisis. In this emergency the president, who has declared his belief that the American navy ought to be incomparably the most adequate navy in the world in the exercise of 8 dis cretion vested in him, will commission you three months ahead of the usual period. That fact alone emphasizes the significance of your early gradua- ton. a
 'Whatever, in addition ito steps all ready taken by placing armed naval guards on merchant ships, this coun- try may be called upon to do, it's confidence and first reliance will be upon the navy. Fortunately, the country has officers and men not sur passed in any naval service. To their number we are adding today 183 off, cers from the naval academy, and we are drawing to its enlisted strength an additional 25,00O from the alert and resolute youth of the country, who, added to the present personnel, will give us the finest body of enlisted men and officers that were ever pro- yided to instruct and lead.
 You come into a service with a glorious record, resplendent with mo- ole traditions. You enter at a time when grave responsibility follows days of waiting upon your young shoulders Today, as not before in a generation, the eyes of your country men are turned in pride as we'll as in confidence toward the newly com- missioned ensigns."
 Get Yourself a Hero."
 The secretary said that his advice to every young officer will be ''get yourself a naval hero" for emulation during the years of service ahead. He declared it was by continually asking 1&4r eolR TCo <a< that Admiral Dewey, himself, became the American naval hero who should be emulated before all others.
 The history of Admirel Dewey" he 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-thanks to him. self-selected Farragut as his ideal and making ready every day of his career, was collected and capable and | cool on the morning he sailed into Manila Bay. He recalled Farragut's damn the torpedo-go ahead Admiral Dewey had duties at Ma. l nila as important after the battle as in that hour under fire. He was ia. mtltar with the law. and never by word or action usurped the function of the civil government, which mus: | always be supreme in international l matters as we'll as in domestic rule No people need ever fear mflitar, usurpation when administered by 2 naval officer like Dewey, zealous fol government by law, with the sword acting only at the direction of the civilian ruler"
 There has come, the secretary said a new understanding of the spirit ] of the navy by the people and like wise there has come in the navy ar appreciation of the spirit of the people. Calling attention to the evel increasing responsibilities of maya officers, he concluded:
 | :'Will the peoples faith in the navy