The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-22

F Il p I
New York, Aug. 21,--Col Robert M
Thompson. president, OF the navy
league, whose resignation was sugl
gested by Secretary Of the Navy
Daniels, following the investigation
oft-the Mare island yard explosion
mas recently mailed Secretary Daniels
warm letter of reply:
Il have, received through the coli
umns of the press. your letter dated
Aug. II. II Is true that Mr. Slayton
and i, in order to insure cordial CO
operation between the navy depart
ment and the navy league offered to
give way to persons who might be
selected by you for the purpose We
knew that we had committed the
grave offense of being right wher
you were wrong, and that to some
minds it Is an unforgivable offense.
SO in, the interests of the service
that. we love and the country we are
working for, we were ready to sacri-
fee. ourselves. If IT were necessary
for you to remain as secretary of the
navy it would probably be better ia
have some one other than myself as
head of the navy league. find II
difficult to respect the navy depart
ment when that department is repre-
scented by you.
In your interview you substantial
ly admit that the important fact in
your statement is, namely, that the
explosion was the result of conspir-
acy. You do not explain to the pub
lie why you have failed to take ac-
There is a reason. What is it?
You were very angry with us for
telling the American people this inn
portant fact. Why? Quoting from
yeur, letter to me---the chief service
which you can render the navy is to
resign at once. ! make you a sport
ing proposition-if you do, / shalI."s
Colonel Tho mpson is reported to
have said that Secretary Daniels
chief fault is a keen sensibility to
That's the trouble with Secretary
Daniels" Colonel Thompson has said.
HE can't stand criticism. The leagues
investigation showed the Mare island
explosion resulted from criminal
conspiracy"
Discussing the same more recently,
Mr.. Daniels repeated his statement
that the charges made by Colonel
organization were vile
and vicious. IF any of1eer of the
navy did what the navy league has
charged he would be communicated
immediately, Mr.. Daniels said. ~
If the colonel does not resign, Mr.
Daniels said, he would have to take
other means to- effect a. houseclean-
ing of the navy league. He declined
The league is a voluntary organiza-
ton which has no official relation
with the navy department.. 1t is be-,
lieved that he will order all offfcers
to have nothing whatever TO do with
the organization and to forbid the
of ats paper on naval res
erVations and lighting ships He may
also order the officers and men of the
navy to receive nothing whatever
from the organization which is sup
plying free sweaters and stockings
for the sailors. "s
Following Secretary Daniels state
ment that the navy department would
deny the league permission to supply
the navy with periodicals, sweaters
Or anything of the sort, the navy
eague has expressed the opinion that
he public would not permit Secretary
Daniels to dictate through whom
heir gifts to the navy should some.
Secretary Daniels has said further
tself of the officers who are fighting
he navy ii must be regarded as the
49,
The secretary's statement follows:
ITO the, public: In view OF the Sian
ferrous and false statements of the |
navy league, rejecting upon the hon
'sty of the naval administrator ana |
he integrity Of the officers of the |
lavy, for which responsibility is &C
siven to the public that the navy de- |
'artment has directed that no officer, |
gent or representative of the navy |
eague will be admitted to any naval |
station, naval reservation or ship in |
he navy. s-t 2+~
Persons who contribute to the |
lavy league in future will do so with |
he understanding that the navy de- /
,artment will not permit the accept
nee of anything whatever from that |
rganization as at present oficered
"Josephus Daniels"