Evening star., 1941-04-02
Knox Talks
TONaval
Sponsors
Women's Society
Holds Annual
Luncheon Meeting

The Importance of patriotism and
the need for unity in this hour of
great danger" was stressed in brief,
emphatic address by Secretary OF
the Navy Frank Knox before the
Society of Naval Sponsors at its
annual luncheon meeting yesterday
at the Mayflower Hotel.
The Secretary declared that our
system of morals, habits, institu-
tions and faiths, which has existed
since the beginning of Christianity,
now hangs in the balance, threat
ened by those who deny and scoff
at all these things and openly seek
the dominion of the world"
at is in such an hour that we are
called upon to demonstrate our pa
triotism,' he said. 1--WE must forget
all party differences in such times,
subordinate all differences at home
and present to the world a COM
pletely united people and a united
front"
Sea Power Declared
Key to Peace of World.
Mr.. Knox congratulated members
of the society for their support OF
the development of national sea
power, which he emphasized was
never so important as at present.
"The peace of the world for the
next century depends upon the
maintenance of British and Ameri-
can sea power upon the seven seas"
he declared. we've been safe over
here without knowing it because OF
two great fleets in the world-ours,
which held things level in the Pa
cific and in the Atlantic another
great fleet, the British"
He urged the society to keep "alive
and potential" for the time when
the present danger will have passed;
when there will be foolish men and
women" who will again try to dis
arm and say I'VE don't need the
Navy" and when the Society of Ma
val Sponsors should form into
fighting phalanx" against such ac-
ton.
"The future peace of the world
depends upon the dominance on
the high seas of sea power con-
trolled by nations sincerely devoted
to peace-a peace of righteousness
and Justice" the Secretary con-
cluded. Rear Admiral Alexander
H. Van Keuren, assistant chief OF
the Bureau of Ships, also spoke
briefly, in place of Rear Admiral
Samuel M Robinson, who was un-
able to attend.
Shipbuilding Plans
For Future Cited.
Admiral Van Keuren spoke on the
shipbuilding program OF the navy
of particular interest to the society,
composed of women who have been
sponsors at the Christening of naval
vessels.
With 30 ships commissioned in
1910. Al ships to be completed IN
1941 and l24 ships on the program
for 1912, Admiral Van Keuren de-
clared that the new building pro-,
gram would cause increased activ-
ity for the sponsors"
Mrs. Russell C. Langdon OF New
York, president for the last 70
wears. presided and introduced the
speakers. Those at the head table
included the Secretary of the Navy
and Mrs. Knox, Assistant Secretary
of the Navy and Mrs. Ralph Bard,
Mrs. James Forrestal, Rear Admiral
and Mrs. Ivan E. Bass, Rear Ad-
miral Van Keuren, Rear Admiral
and Mrs. George T. Pettingill, Rear
Admiral and Mrs. Harold Bower,
Rear Admiral and Mrs. William
Blandy, Rear Admiral and Mrs. Ray
Spear. Rear Admiral and Mrs. Ben
r. Moreell, Rear Admiral and Mrs
Emory S. Land, Mrs. w. B. Wood
son. Mrs. Harold r. Stark, wife OF
the chief of naval operations; Mrs.
George Marshall, wife of the chief
of staff United States Army; Mrs
Henry Roosevelt, Rear Admiral and
Mrs. Alfred johnson, Mrs. Claude
Swanson, and Mr.. and Mrs. Bertram
w Randles.
Music was furnished throughout
the luncheon by the United States
Navy Band, 1t. Charles Benter con-
ducting.
At meeting preceding the
luncheon, all officers were reelected,
including Mrs. Langdon, Mrs. Land,
first vice president; Mrs. r. H.
Dunlop, second vice president, and
Mrs. Stanton r. Norman, secretary
treasurer.