Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-09-14
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tude We must depend for a large in
crease of officers.
The problem that still presses up
on the Navy Department is that hun
dreds if not thousands Of recruits who
with proper training will make ex-
cellent naval officers Every day we
are getting nearer to the place where
we can give a chance to those who
show themselves qualified for leader
ship. l hope that before the spring
our schools and classes, ashore and
afioat, Will provide opportunity 10
learn the profession OF seamanship to
all who have a genius for command.
Greetings To C.aSS.
In ordinary days. when young men
are commissioned here as Ensigns.
the Secretary of the Navy welcomes
them into life profession for which
they have qualified by years OF pre-
paration> in these, halls and upon the
summer cruises. Today. come 10
bring greetings TO class of 1872 new
Ensign in the Naval Reserve. most of
the members of which did not look to
a naval career and who have come To
US from other walks of life Those
OF YOU who are older did not hest
tate to leave your business or pro
fession when war was declared. You
elected to serve your country in the
Navy and have now completed with
honor the intensive course which has
been given you here
The Navy has no place for men
who lack eagerness to be and 10 do.
II is a rigorous calling. even for those
who enter in after years of study and
careful instruction And even moro
for those who, moved by a resolve TO
uphold the honor Of their country and
insure the freedom OF the world. heed
the call OF the sea.
Stimulating Traditions.
You have been touched here with
the stimulating traditions of this
place-dear to all who love the Navy.
From this institution for many years
have gone forth youths who in every
crisis have made the country proud
of their Navy. have no doubt these
new officers, who have been privleg-
ed 10 spend only few months here
will carry into the service the same
spirit that animates all who have felt
the touch of Annapolis ideals and An
napolis training. is imprimatur is
upon you. but you realize that you
have just begun TO learn and that
your big school is the fighting ship
upon whose deck you may be called
upon TO stand in the stress of battle.
cool and unafraid as you man the
guns.
Your country has confidence in you.
You Will justify that confidence i'm
proportion as you master the profess
sion into which you enter this day.
Official Welcome.
Il am empowered officially to well
come you as leaders among the youth
full defenders of your country The
Superintendent and the officers and
instructors have kept me posted as
to the progress of this class, and they
have expressed surprise at the avidity
you have shown in studying the course
and at the wonderful progress you
bave made in so short a time. This
must be gratifying to you, but Il has a
larger meaning to your country. AS
the Navy grows, II must have more
officers Many, perhaps most Of them,
must come from civil life. We have
questioned whether this source OF
supply could be relied upon. You
have answered that question in the
affirmative
"You will go to the fleet. to the pa
troll, TO the transports to whatever
duty you are assigned with the feel
ing that you have shown that civil
ians can do whatever there is need for
them to do"