New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-16
Thompson Asks
Daniels to Resign
If Secretary Quits He'll Get
Out, Too, Says President
of Navy League

WASHINGTON. Aug. 10. The fol-
loving statement was telegrsphed here
TO day by Colonel Robert H. Thompson,
president of the Navy League, from
his home in Southampton. L. l., in re-
ply to Secretary Of the Navy Daniels's
request that he resign from the
League:
August IS. 1917.
"Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secretary OF
the Navy, Washington, D. c.;
my Dear Mr. Daniels have re-
eeived, through the columns Of Ne
daily press, your letter dated Au'
gust IA.
at is true that Mr.. Stayton and I,
in order 70 insure cordial cooperation
between the Navy Department and the
Navy League, offered TO give way 10
persons who might be selected by you
for the purpose. We kaew shat we
had committed the grave ofense OF be
ing right when you were wrong, and
that to some minds 10 Is an unforgiv-
able ofense
$50, IN the interests Of the service
that we love and the country We are
working for we were ready 10 sacrifice
WI 1EAhNss - ~ NNAE ANNNaeaA1 ~ W.
10 remain as Secretary OF the Navy, IL
would probably be better TO have some
one other than myself as head OF the
Navy League, for I lind il dirieuit to
respect the Navy Department when that
Department is represented by you.
IN your interview you substantially
admit the important fact IN our state
ment, namely. that the explosion was
the result OF a conspiracy, but DO not
explain 20 the public why you have
failed 10 take action.
There is a reason. What is il?
You were very angry with US for telling
the American people this important
fact. Why? Quoting from your let
ter 70 me, the chief service which you
can render the navy is TO. resign at
once make you a sporting PROPOSE
tion-ii you do, shall.
Faithfully yours,
ROBERT NJ. THOMPSON,
President of the Navy League OF the
United States"
Secretary Daniels declared to-day
that he would have nothing 70 do with
the NAVY League as IL Is az present ofh-
cered, and that no other person in the
navy "DAAu nave any Aalllh " w WIN
10. he added that ne expected the res
isnation Of Colonel Thompson TO be
forthcoming.
Mr.. Daniels said to-day that the
charge made by Colonel Thompson
through the Navy Lague that a vigor-
Gus INJURY into the explosion at the
which FIVE persons were killed and
thirty-one injured, had been hampeitd
through powerful labor influence, was
''vile and vicious"
The Secretary asserted that "if what
they said was true | ought to be indict-
ed and inpeached. II any officer Of the
navy blocked the investigation he
would be courtmartialed.
"The only statement | should accept
would be signations, cleaning house;
otherwise | will have 70 take other
steps," Mr.. Daniels added. He would
not indicate what the other steps might
be. He said that. after publication Of
a statement attacking the navy with
cut first informing the Navy Depart
ment of it's character, or giving any
information whatever concerning the
charge that was made. the league ought
to call itself the anti-Nayy League, OF
the League for Traducins the Navy.
Mr. Daniels expressed the conviction
that the officers of the league alone
were responsible for the charge, and
that the membership of the league
composed of so many excellent peo-
pie" would be so outraged by il as ~
require a house-cleaning. He reiter.
ated that he had no doubt Colonel
Thompson would resign.