Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-10-27
nate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and Virginia.
Member OF the Associated Press.
Navy Day.

Navy day! The day on which the
American people celebrate the defen
sive force enrolled under the naval
ensign! This day is chosen as appro
pirate because Il Is the anniversary
OF the birth Of Theodore Roosevelt
who did so much to develop the Amer
lean Navy In its period of decline and
restored It to its strength.
It is not in vain-glory that the
American people express their pride
I'm the Navy. Yet the record of that
establishment Is such as to stimulate
enthusiasm. On every occasion the
Navy has risen to Its requirements. 1t
has discharged its full duty. It has
made good whenever called upon for
service. And yet never has the Navy
been used as an instrument Of ag-
erosion.
Development of the American Navy
has been slow and at times discour.
ag1ngly inadequate in point Of mum.
bers Of men and force of ships. The
1nsularity Of the new republic, far re-
moved from European powers. with
problems Of a strictly domestic nature,
caused the people to feel secure with.
out the need of a great force afloat.
Yet there have been occasions to
prove the necessity Of an effective
marine defense. as in the War Of 1912,
when a glorious chapter was written
despite the handicap Of unprepared-
ness. After the Civil War. which nee
essarily witnessed a naval develop.
ment for the emergency. there was a
long period Of neglect Of both ships
and personnel. Came then revival of
interest, and efforts at naval develop
ment succeeded in laying the founda-
tions for a sea-ighting force which
were strengthened by Theodore Roose-
welt to the point that when the war
with Spain occurred our Navy was
equal to the occasion.
Another lapse Of comparative neg
lect occurred, but with advances from
time to time. The Great War found
this country up to date in types and
proportionately in numbers, and at
the end of the war the United States
was in a position, had 1t wished, to
become the greatest naval power in
the world. At the Washington con-
ference. however, this opportunity
was yielded In the interest Of the
limitation Of ornaments. A basis was
adopted which gave 1t equality with
Great Britain and a two-fifths su.
periority over Japan in respect to
capital ships. with no limitation as to
auxiliaries, for the ratioing of which
proposals have subsequently been
made without fruition.
In quality of ships and Of personnel
the American Navy has never held
second place, even though In numbers
It has not maintained parity. In
many respects the American naval
designers have set the pace for the
world. Were there the will on this
side Of the sea to create the most
powerful navy afloat in units and in
accomplished. But there Is no such
will. The American policy is not ag-
gressive. 1t is purely defensive. The
American people are content to main
tain a floating force sufficient to in
sure respect throughout the world for
American rights without the slight.
est menace against the rights of
others.
Navy day evokes the pride Of the
people OF this country to the point of
demanding that the best traditions Of
The naval service be maintained, that
the standard of efficiency and suf.
ficiency be preserved that in every
respect the marine defense be kept
adequate. Until the day of complete
disarmament shah come, IL ever 1t
should come. this demand will con.
tinue and 1t must be needed.
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