Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-01-15
N'S SECRETARY
aiIaHENDS NEW Law
4.,;,;.o President ''TempOrar-
@@I, His Discretion To Re-
Jr,e Course Instruction
Il The NAVAL ACADEMY
1919 Nilsbignen VIII Be Grad
r,ted IN June, 1918.


r. is way there viii be no
er,duaaon" Of Midshipmen at
@ Academy the ceremony to
-acs The usual first Friday in
rd win De earlier inasmueh
I'm put forward the Class 1919
year.
M udshipmen from the Naval
~v therefore, viii take place on
1918 Under normal condi-
hrs class would not be gradu-
Hl June. 1913 The urgent de-
nr officers Tor the navy for the
ge prosecution of the war
ea Germany. however, brought
ls passage Of the Act Of March
- which authorizes the Presi-
hts discretion, to reduce the
of instruction at the Naval
from four TO three years for
OF Two years from the date Of
aet and during that period to
nft. classes which have complet-
Hres yelrs course. Under this
~ one class was graduated in
Nrh. 1917. and another was gradu- :
BE latter part Of June The au-
.y .8r such reduction in course at
academy VIII. however, expire on
H5h g. 1919. and consequently the
graduating in June, 1918, will be
hst one that may be graduated
- tbe present law at the end of
ar years
Gee Secretary of the Navy recom-
ihe passage OF a law that willy
9r.zs the President temporarily,
ata discretion. 20 reduce the course
tnstrclion at the z. S. Naval Acad-
n from four 10 three years, and to
nga,a classes which have complet-
uch reduced courses Of instruc-
n The Secretary Of the Navy I
a that the best source Of supply
3 commissioned officers of the Navy
ua the Naval Academy, the school
h.ca Congress has provided and
,aipagd for training line officers.
f .he needs Of the service have
.a carefully studied and courses to
l9g them have been laid down,
-aiardized and approved, which
ll bes, equip them for their naval |
lies These courses furnish the
nandwork Of q technical education
Cd training necessary for operating,
1acuyering. navigating, and fighting
ssols at sea under any conditions.
-u require q knowledge of seaman
.R navigation. gunnery, engineer
& signaling, secret code work, mili-
% and International law, electricity,
a wen as discipline and self-con-
al all Of which can best be applied
d..igant intensive training at the
.ia Academy" The Secretary is
tidad.y overse TO appointments from
'd li,e He says that "unquestion-
5 an officer who has completed
en- o three years course at the Ma
Academy Is far better qualified for
general duties which he will be
a3a upcu TO perform than any who
be obtained from other sources
ay other methods. Equally un-
sionabiy ic is true that the de-
mos ior properly trained officers are
feas.ag al such a rapid rate that
cry provision must be made to meet
IS shortage, a failure in which re-
,a would seriously prejudice the
laees OF successfully prosecuting
var Under these circumstances,
Is s,u6ngir evident that it may be
,'atal 10 continue temporarily the
iaee3 course 1t the Naval Academy
es aarea 9 1919. and it is neces-
4 70 obtain authority therefor at
une. inasmuch as arrangements
lle reduced course of instruction
-..s1-9mea must be made through
'4elf entire curriculum at the
--. n order that they may OBJ
Z ''e maximum benefit from their
nee years course"