Evening journal., 1917-04-13
Y0rNG Ma AND Nh NAYY.

n ANY young existing in the United States
IxA navy. They should bear in mind that If they be
brave sober industrious and studous they may reach
high places in our countrys fighting fleet
The need for additional officers in the United States
navy is being more keeny felt with the commissioning
Of every dreadnought one Of the last acts Of
the Congress which ceased to exist March 1917,
was to provide that 100 midshpmen the Naval Acad
envy Annapolis, were to be drawn from the enlisted
personnel Of the navy. Every enlisted under TWEEN
y years Of age with years service eligible
for one OF vacancies and the examinations are
entirely competitive. the highest 100 young men re-
eeying the appointments.
The average young man in the navy like the average
young in civilian life has not had a high school
education and this fact is inducing high school boys
enlist in the navy it is practically certain that
any young man with groundwork OF two years
more high school training, who really desires to enter
Annapolis, can do
Naval authorities consider mdshipmen with this pre-
lminary training anoat of particular value their
knowledge Of naval affairs gives such young men
much hetter grasp OF the possibilities Of their future
than is held by the candidates appointed directly
from civil life by Congressman. The men appointed
from the enlisted personnel must be recommended by
their commanding officer, and an officer jealous of
maintaining the best traditions of the naval service
will give preference to the ablest men under him.
This places the highest honors of the naval service
within the grasp OF any young who has future
fitness to win
The regiment OF midshipmen is always the personal
guard of the President his inauguration The acad-
envy being for four years, every midshipman
participates in inauguration, and generally. in
later life as a commissioned officer in many more.
Midshpmen make three cruises during their Naval
<--idemy career each cruise held during the three
Summer months The itinerary of these cruises is laid
out-Germany Norway, England, Gibraltar etc In
1915 il considered inadvisabe send the train
ing squad in European waters account OF the war;
and they therefore to San Francisco through
the Panama Canal to view the Panama Pacific Expo
sitlon.
The standards Of living OF discipline Of manhood and
OF scholastic ability maintained at a high level The
pressing need Of officers has not lowered these
dards. as recently shown when the usual per-
centage OF the midshipmen obliged" forced to
align for deficiency in studies.
The young who has aptitude for the sea, who
wishes to the naval service under the
ditions who has the ambition the top and is
willing 10 do his utmost 20 realize such ambition
such a type makes the successful naval officer. such
man has within his grasp the chance TO become the
commander-in-chief Of OF the worlds greatest
fleets
Americas future is linked with power Our mer-
chant marine must become reality not a vague hope
Our navy must be powerful enough to keep the seas
open. and our coasts safe. at all times. The men at
Annapolis today viii be the moving figures in a few
years in carrying out national aspirations on the
seas