Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-13
The Navy

| is not for the purpose of starting anew
i the rivalry in ornaments between nations
that Secretary Of the Navy Daniels, in his
annual report, urges Congress TO proceed with
the great naval program which has been pre-
scented to that body On tho contrary, he
expresses the earnest hopo of all Americans
when he foresccs the day--soon late
when am international agreement of binding
effect can make possible a general disarma-
mcnt. But Mr. Daniels would be negligent
indeed were he to shape the naval policy of
this country at the present Slime OF uncer7
tainty according TO the pattern of what after
all, is nothing more, for the moment, fllan
general desire.
America stands ready to disarm as soon
as the other nations bind themselves to the
same course. Not only this. but it is willing
to lend its effort to any practical movement
among nations that will lead to such an
agreement. But the one lesson that has been
impressed indoliby our minds during the
past year and half of fcverish preparation
is that so long the possibility remains for
any nation or group of nations to assail our
liberties in a test of strength, we cannot af-
ford to go back to the state of unprepared
ness to which, thanks TO the neglect Of by
gone administrations, had been reduced.
So much for the main recommendation in
Mr.. Danie]ss report, which recommendation
Congress can hardly ignore. AS TO the record
contngents in the world conflict, it is COM
pete and most satisfying. Truly it is a record
OF which all Americans can be proud, for
While the temcrity of the German high
fleet did not permit that great sea battle for
which every American jackie yeurned the
American navy performed its appointed task
with AN efficiency that left nothing TO be de-
sired Whether ii was the business Of guard
ing transports from the lurking enemy sub
marines. m liza
ing up the work Of its yards the navy never
failed to make good. Its marine contngents
in France wrote Il flaming page OF heroism
into the history Of country; it's giant
naval guns, placed OH fiat cars, poured into
the back areas OF the Hun armies fire that
was terrible i'll its effectiveness.
1t is a late day but not too late, to appre-
ciatc TO the full extent the part which Mr.
Daniels himself has contributed toward the
present efficiency Of the navy. From the
very first, when much that lie did scoffed
at because it was new or because Of the in
uate unfairness OF his critics, his aim has been
to build up teamwork i'll the navy He was told
by his critics that his efforts to raise the stand
ards AMI status OF the enlisted men would
completely disrupt discipline and unfriendly
c2rtooniats pictured him as growing wistaria
vines along the sides OF Dreadnoughts be-
cause it occurred 10 him that profit could
come iron. establishing schools for enlisted
men and developing their initiative. The
agraiost war ever staged in the history OF
mankind tested the wisdom of MIR. Danies's
methods, aud where is he who now will risk
thi statement that our navy is unGiscplined
AND lacking in qualities that are manly?
No expression could be evolved better to
describe the character OF our naval service
IN this war thai the remark OF the young
commander OF the first contingent of Amer
lean destroyers arriving i'll British waters in
April, 1917, when he was asked how long it
would take his squadron - get ready for
service.
We are ready now, sir" came the prompt
response.
And 20 were.