Evening star., 1941-10-26
Roosevelt Talk
Will Be Climax
Of Navy Day
Broadcast Tomorrow
May Include Comment
On Far East Crisis

Americas flrSt line OF defense,
the Navy, facing daily perils and
perhaps the greatest test in Its
history, will be glorified tomorrow
as Washington leads the Nation In
observance of Navy Day.
President Roosevelt will sound the
keynote in an address to be de-
1ivered about 10 pm. at banquet
at the MayfloWer Hotel sponsored
by the Navy League of the United
guests.
1t is expected that the President
will deal again with his country's
hour Of crisis. making, perhaps, a
major pronouncement on the por-
tentous events of recent days. Radio
will carry his speech all over the
world. Arrangements have been
made to translate it into seven
languages and rebroadcast it over
short wave.
May Discuss Far East.
The speech will be Mr.. Roosevelt's
FIRST since the September II broad
cast in which he revealed that he
had ordered the Navy to shoot on
sight" when Axis raiders were en-
eountered. Since then, the i'm
mediate focus of international
events, so far as this country Is
concerned. has shifted to the Orient,
and official Washington looks to
the Chief Executives message for
clues, if not outright announcements.
as to the Nations policy in the
threatening Far Eastern situation.
However, since the President has
called tomorrow Navy and Total
Defense Day" his speech may set
forth his ideas on further expansion
of defense production, at present a
major topic of discussion in defense
management circles here.
The address will be "piped into at
least 100 Navy Day dinners in COM
munities from the Atlantic to the
Pacific and from Canada to the
tsGulf.
Everywhere, on the seaboards and
Ear inland, the people will be re-
minded of their Navy-its star role
in the defense of America, its swift
expansion and present efficiency in
this era of wars and worldwide
hazards.
ct. R." to Be HOnored.
Navy Day was started nearly 20
years ago on the birthday of Theo-
dore Roosevelt, in recognition of
RI net q
in building great Navy. Tomor-
row. in the name of the present
Chief Executive, wreath will be
laid on the grave of the former
President at Oyster Bay, N. Y, by
Brig Gen Ralph K. Robertson, pro-
vost marshal of the I'd Corps area.
Gen. Robertson then will visit the
widow, Mrs. Edith K Roosevelt, at
her Sycamore Hill home.
The outstanding public celebra-
tion in Washington will be DEM
.onstration of Navy might and skill
at FairlaWn Park, Anacostia. prob
ably the greatest. such exhibition
the Capital has seen. The program
will begin at $50 am. and continue
until Sis pm.
The exciting events in store for
those who watch-and there will be
plenty of room for everybody-will
include parachute troops dropped
from planes, bombing, plane
catapulting. deep-sea diving opera
tions, a sham battle staged by Ma
rines from Quantico, rifle and ma
chine gun demonstrations, drills, re-
views, continuous band concerts.
Sailors from the Navy Yard, flyers
from the Navy Air Station at Ana
costa and Marines from the Marine
barracks here and at Quantico will
join in the big show.
Sailors Meal to Be Served.
At the Navy Day dinner the Pres
ident will be introduced by Col
William J. Donovan, co-ordinator of
defense information and World War
hero. The guests will hear by radio
a Commute talk by Admiral Harold
r. Stark, speaking et the Navy din
ner in Chicago Gen. George c.
Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, and
Rear Admiral Emory S. Land, chair
man of the Maritime Commission,
will speak briefly.
In place of the usual banquet
menu, the Mayflower celebrants will
be served typical sailors dinner,
nourishing, appetizing and ample, if
not fancy. Nautical entertainment
will be furnished through the eve
ming.
A sea chanty which is a favorite
with the President, BLOW the Man
Down" will be featured on the pro-
gram at the dinner 1t was an
nounced today that Jan Peerce.
radio tenor, would be a featured
soloist on the program and would
sing The Star Spangled Banner"
at the conclusion of Mr. Roose-
velt's speech.
Vice Chairman Samuel E. M.
Crocker of the Navy League said
In statement today that I'VE are
(See NAVY DAY, Page A-16)