Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-01

mented her people ITO such an
extent that they appear to be vir-
tually slaves Of the central organiza-
ton"
The Ambassador denied the
slavery allegation and declared his
country watched the development
Of the creative spirit Of the many
people who were brought up from
the large masses of our population
and who are not slaves OF the central
government, but who shape their
own creative and inspiring work"
During much of his tenure as
chief Of naval operations, Admiral
Leahy was Acting Secretary of the
Navy due to the prolonged illness Of
Secretary Swanson.
An ardent protagonist of strong
fleet, he was urging expansion of
the Navy three years ago and
although he was the departments
spokesman to Congress during con-
sideration of the first billion dollar
Navy" bill in 1888, calling for q 20
per cent increase in the feet, 1t was
left for his immediate successor,
Admiral Harold r. Stark, to recon-
mend establishment Of the two
ocean" Navy which is now under
construction.
Watching the ominous develop
ments which led to the present war
in Europe, Admiral Leahy solemnly
told the United States 1t should not
pin It's faith entirely to international
agreements.
The pacts. protocols, treaties and
disarmament conferences of the last
two decades saved some money" he
said, land alleviated strained con-
ditions for short periods. yet the
strife in the world today, with other
disquieting conditions. gives visible
proof that most Of these laudable
attempts to preserve the peace have
failed"
In another outspoken demand for
attention to realities, Admiral Leahy
told an Atlanta Navy Day audience
in 1887 that naval officers are
likely to be actuated more by what
history has taught them than by
the aspirations and hopes Of
idealists and theorists"
He has reputation among some
of his associates in the Navy for
making quick decisions without
regard to personal considerations.
Once aboard the New Mexico, for
instance, during full power" run
in which the big ships performance
at full speed was being tested, the
vessel tore q blade off one propeller,
causing her to shudder violently
at every turn Of the screw.
"The masts trembled, the vibra-
ton was so bad" one ofdcer re-
called. 1.-THE captain had to make
. quick decision there whether,
with perfectly good excuse, to
quit the test. and go in for repairs,
or to carry on.
HE carried on and we made our
speed and everything else"
Asked what would have befallen
Capt. Leahy had his decision caused
further damage to the battleship,
the other officer replied:
We'll, he probably wouldn't have
got to be an admiral
Admiral Leahy's junior officers
found him friendly, democratic and
always open-minded. Some of them
recalled he had fondness during
night watches for joining them on
the bridge or quarter deck and
walking around with them, discus
sing all manner of problems.
"He always wanted to get your
slant on things" one Of them re-
called.
Fond of the outdoors, Admiral
Leahy was keen golfer until his
duties as chief OF naval operations
kept him too close to his desk to
permit him to indulge In that
pastime. He still hasn't surrendered
his tweeds although ambassadorial
requirements may force his hand
there, too.