Evening star., 1934-05-30
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Ambassador Josephus Daniels. by
special invitation. will stand along
side President Roosevelt aboard U. 8.
S. Indianapolis when the commander
in chief reviews the feet in New York
harbor tomorrow. Several months ago
F. D. R. wrote the Ambassador at
Mexico City that as they were to-
gether when Secretary Of the Navy
Daniels reviewed the World War Fleet
at Hampton Roads after It's return
from Europe, the President wanted
his "old boss" to be with him on the
present occasion. The war-t time Sec
retary of the Navy recalled in Wash
ington this week an occasion 18 years
ago. when he and Assistant Secretary
Of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt. had
their pictures taken together on the
balcony Of Mr.. Daniels Office in the
State, War and Navy Building, direct
ly across from the White House. When
the proofs came back, the Secretary
said to the Assistant Secretary: II
see you're wearing a broad smile
while I'm in deep frown. I know
the reason. You were looking at the
White House and saying to yourself:
I'm going to be over there some day,
while I was deploring the certainty
that I never would be-" President
Roosevelt still halls Mr.. Daniels af-
fectionately as chief" every time
they meet.
| It's doubtful If any thrill he's had
since he became President was greater
than that which F. D. r. will expe-
rience as the fleet passes him in re-
view off Ambrose Light. With the
| single exception of the other Roosevelt,
no President ever had such enthusiasm
for the naval service as that which in
spires the present Chief Executive.
The sea is his grand passion. All of
his offices and homes-in Washington,
New York, Hyde Park and Warm
Springs-are filled with prints, models
or other marine souvenirs. As every
body knows, the President is happiest
when afloat, whether aboard an Amber
jack. the palatial yacht of an Asto- or
a glamorous cruiser of the Navy.
F. D. r. has looked forward with the
keenness of a boy to the review Of
Uncle Sans armada. He anticipates
with no less zeSt his forthcoming trip
on a man-of-war to the Caribbean,
through the Canal and across the Pa
cif1c to Hawaii. Probably from the
Presidents standpoint, the only draw
back about the cruise Is the fact that
he can't rough it in sweater and old
pants.
To what extremes some opponents
of national defense can be melted is
exemplified by the sermon just
preached by DR.. John Haynes Holmes
pastor of the Community Church OF
New York City. He referred to the
approaching visit of the fleet as "a
barbarian orgy to frighten the world
and fatter our PRIDE" while all navies
were denounced as things Of shame
and horror" AS reported in the
metropolitan press, DR.. Holmes said
''Navies are an exact measure Of the
greed, lust and barbarism of the
world. The time will come when his
tory will look back upon an American
President reviewing the Navy as IT
now looks back upon q Roman EN-
peror presiding at the ancient gladia-
torial games. Men will be amazed
that a great leader, the First Citizen
of an intelligent and enlightend
democracy, could take pride and Joy
in this spectacular display Of armed
might. While these ships lie in the
Hudson, I would paint their hulls
black, deck them in mourning, and fly
their flags at half-mast, that the peo-
pie might all be bowed in shame and
sorrow, and Herewith changed In
spirit to serve and save mankind"
| \
Perhaps thereIl be a Santa Clau: