The Washington times., 1919-02-26
LEAGUE, OR GREAT
NAEY, ,SAYSDAN!ELS

A League of Nations, with smaller
armies and decreasing navies as the
years pass. or a gigantic military and
naval program-this is the choice the
American people have today, accord
ing to Secretary OF the Navy Daniels
in an address before the National
Press Club last night.
There must either be a League of
Nations TO safeguard the peace won
in this war" he said, cor America
must have such a military and naval
establishment as will enable US sin
Ele-handed to guarantee American
rights and interests from Halifax to
Terra del Fuego. There is no half
way house"
Secretary Daniels paid a glowing
tribute to the work Of the United
States marines at Chateau-T -Thierry
and Belleau Wood and compared
these battles to the charge of the
Light Brigade.
"Never at Balallava or Thermopylae
did meE fight with more courage than
the Marines he said "They saved
Paris by their dash craftsmanship,
and do-or-die grit and determination
TO kill or be killed"
In telling OF the wonders accom-
plished by our navy in the recent
war, he said:
'sThe navy was ready when the
word came in April, 1917. It was
converted from a peace navy into a
lighting navy overnight
"The largest ships that carried
American troops TO France were made
IN Germany, and it was only American
naval ingenuity and skill that fitted
them out in such a short period after
the German crews thought they had
ruined them.
THE seeming impossible task of con-
voying 100000 to France without
the loss of a single man was largeley
responsible to the depth charges, OF
which we had an unlimited supply
They made the ocean anything but a
pleasant place for a German subma-
rine, and could have done naught but
reduce their morale.
The most stupendous undertaking
in the worlds naval history was the
laying Of the North sea barrage." OF
the 10000 mines laid in front of the
impregnable HeiogoIand, $4,000 were
laid by the Yankee mining squadron.
with German sailors mutinying
because to leave port meant almost
certain death, and their armies being
rolled back by the American and al
lied troops, is il any wonder that Ger
many caved in so quickly?
''The navy was training $4,000 men
in aviation when the war ended, and
many OF these men soon will be flying
across the Atlantic.
The little l1o-foot submarine
chasers with their submarine detecting
devices guarded our coast against the
ravages OF the undersea raider. At
the end Of the war we have 43O OF
these boats in commission, 236 OF
which were in foreign waters"
Admiral Plunkett, who was IN
charge Of the great naval guns useo
on the western front. gave a graphic
recital of the difficulties encountered |
by the naval men in handling the |
great cannon. !
Major DenniG, U. S. NJ c., told Of |
the exploits Of the marines at Hill |
2O4. during the famous battle of Bel |
leau Wood.
%The z. $. s. Arid Zone, y
The club had made most elaborate
preparations for the reception Of its
guests. Across the end of the large /
lounging room a miniature battle
ship had been erected, with an eight
inch gun protrUding from a tUrret.
Port holes shone brightly, and the en-
tire ship was given a vivid ocean
background. On the deck was a
depth charge" looking suspiciously
like a brewery product; and from the
stern Of the vessel flew flag, THE
Z. s. s. Arid Zone" a goodly crew Of
sailors named the ship, and when the
Of the Navy clambered
aboard by the accommodation ladder,
The bo'sun piped him over, sideboys
the bugIer BILE wfour ruffies.
and the band played the ''Secretary's
March,