Imperial Valley press., 1919-08-08
RODMAN' SPEECH.
Continued From Page ~

cific fleet | extend to the people of
the west coast the greetings of the Of
| ficers and men of this command.
I'VE are here not only as your pro-
! tective force, but also to test out and
develop the navy yards, stations and
| other utilities pertaining to the fleet
which are already established, and if
necessary to recommend their eXpan-
sion Our passage through the Pana-
ma Canal has amply demonstrated
that the Atlantic and Pacific fleets
can quickly and expeditiously united
in either ocean should the occasion re-
quire.
1T needs your assistance and hearty
cooperation to insure the success OF
our endeavors."
"The navy is safely anchored IN the
hearts of the people of the Pacific
coast," said Secretary Daniels, speak
ing from the bridge of the Montana
as the review ended at San Diego yes
terday. He thanked the governors
for their hearty welcome and greet
ing and compared the days review
with that other naval epoch in Cali
fornia's history, when Commodore
Sloat took possession of the West
Coast and placed = under the Amer-
can flag. The secretary's speech fol-
lows:
"This is realization of dream
have kept constantly in view for
six years. since | first came to the
Pacific coast, shortly after induc-
ton into office, to study naval con-
ditions here. | conceived of an
American fleet that was truly an
American fleet, equally at home and
in equal strength on both coasts. This
organization into two powerful fleets
is an epoch-making event in naval
history and presages the day when
the whole fleet, now composed OF
more than one million tons, and five
million more tons building, will make
the magnitude of this review seem
small in comparison.
THE fleet that went around the
world under Admiral Evans totaled
224, 900 tons; this fleet today totals
$4,000 tons. The flagship of Ad-
miral Evans, the Connecticut, was
only half as big as the flagship New
Mexico. This greater American
fleet means, not war, but protection
not only for American interests and
rights but also it is the most powerful
agency for the peace of the world.
America has no enemies since the
world war in any part of the globe and
the fleet in its peaceful operations
will, in the transition years ahead of
US, give security to the new and weak
nations which need no longer fear the
greed and ambitions of Kaisers and
Emperors to dominate the world.
"The Pacific fleet is more than an
American fleet. 1t is a world fleet
built and manned by men who are de-
termined its guns shall never be fired
except to protect the rights of Amer
leans and all free nations. We have
watched every day the progress of the
fleet from the Atlantic to the Paci
fic. All America is proud of Admiral
Rodman and his men VINO have pio
need this amanda in the Pacific. Its
reception in San Diego has demon
strated that the navy is safely anchor
ed in the hearts of the people Of the
Pacific coast.
"Henceforth these ships and men
will be at home here. Our plans are
making so that every year the fleets
will be joined, one year in the Atlantic
and one year in the Pacific, for inten-
sive training and general maneuvers
so that the navy will be fit and be
ready for aOV pVentualltV ~