Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-09-18
PEACE WITH
GERMANY NOW, SAYS
SECRETARY DANIELS
Head OF The Navy Addresses
Graduating Class OF Young
Ensigns Here Today
U, S. DRIVE INSPIRED
CENTRAL POWERS MOVE
Wilhelrn's Speech At Essen, Bel
gium Note And Austria's Feeler
Result Of Recent Victory


Annapolis today reiterated the deter
mination OF the American Admins
tion to have nothing whatever TO do
with negotiated peace" with the
Central Powers. Addressing six hun
dred and forty-six reserve ensigns of
the Navy upon the completion of their
fifteen weeks special training at the
Naval Academy, the Secretary de-
clared that the only way the war will
be shortened will be through victory
on the field" for the allies, or through
the acceptance by Germany of "the
terms already laid down by President
Wilson" The Secretary then declared
that at the time of the German drive
in March ii was "a race between Will
son and Hindenburg" He added,
and that race is now on, and Wilson
is winning"
The graduation exercises in connec-
ton with the completion of their
course by the young officers were held
in Mahan Hall, and were witnessed by
hundreds of the relatives and friends
Of the graduates who packed the gall
leries of the large auditorium Secre-
tary of the Navy Daniels, Rear Admi-
raj Leigh c. Palmer, Rear Admiral
Eberle, superintendent of the Acade-
my, and members of the faculty OF the
Officers Training department of the
Naval Academy occupied places on the
stage, while the young officers filed
the main floor of the auditorium
Following the addresses by Admiral
Eberle and Mr.. Daniels, and the de-
livery of their certificates of compile
tion of their training to the ensigns,
the young officers scattered almost at
once to all parts of the country for
brief leave before taking up their
active duties aboard the ships of the
Navy.
Prior to his introduction OF the Sec
retary, Admiral Eberle addressed the
graduates for a short time welcoming
them into the service He told them
that they should consider themselves
very fortunate to enter the Navy at
a time when the navy is so well do
ing its part in the fight for world de-
mocracy. He then outlined the quail
ifications of an efficient naval officer
and said ''the navy expects you to
show these qualifications; II does not
want officers without them"
Admiral Eberle then told Of having
been at Manila Bay near the close
Of the Spanish-American war, when
the German fleet had time after time
interfered with and tried to hamper
the American squadron under Admi-
raj Dewey. "They appeared to be try
ing to see how far they could 60" he
declared, and added And they found
outl"
The superintendent held up to the
newest of the navy's young officers
the traditions and the record Of the
American Navy, and called upon the
graduates to see that the records and.
the traditions do not suffer at their
hands.
Prior TO the ceremonies in the Ma
han Hall the Secretary. although he
had arrived last night and spent the
night with Mrs. Daniels as the guest
of Admiral Eberle, was formally re-
ceived by the Fourth Glass battalion
paraded as infantry under arms This
ceremony took place in the Armory,
after which the official party proceed
ed to Mahan Hall
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels, in
his address TO the class, spoke, in
part as follows:
From the day Congress ordered
the three-year building program and
authorized the increase in enlist
ments, the standing order in the Navy
has been and is Full Speed Ahead
said Secretary Daniels. He told Of
the really remarkable service being
rendered by scores of officers whose
training had been of short duration
and of how the trained and ambitious
enlisted personnel had demonstrated
their fitness to hold the commissions
they had earned
"The Navy could not have perform
ed the truly gigantic tasks, which
have been everywhere recognized in
this and other countries, unless the
civilian officers and men had been
quick to learn and early demonstrated
their capacity. Every ship has been
a training school. Civilians from col
lege, shop and farm have shown an
initiative, quickness to master sea-
manship, and zeal to qualify for the
best service. They have been placed
in responsible positions and officers
Of long experiences bear testimony to
their efficiency. The Navy's need
has been for capable officers. There
were not enought graduates Of the
Naval Academy. but the supply Of
willing and earnest men, anxious to
Continued on page f0ur)