The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-10-28
Truman Asserts Nation Will Use
%Z1ight To Attain Lasting Peace;
James Urges Big Post War Navy
ADMIRAL SPEAKS
AT MEETING HERE
Declares Strong Fleet Will
Mean Immunity From
Surprise Attack

"By the grace of God and
bare skin of our teeth we
have emerged from a nation
of near-fatal dreamers to a
victorious people possessed OF
the greatest armed strength
the world has ever seen" Rear
Admiral Jules James said IN
an address at the City Hall
yesterday afternoon Which
brought to a close Whining
toms observance of Navy Day.
Rear Admiral James, former
commandant of the sixth Naval dis
trict who received orders Friday
to report overseas as commander
Of United States naval forces in
North African waters, was introd-
uced by Hargrove Bellamy, chair
man of the city reception commit
tee. The Rev. c. D. Barclift, pastor
OF the Fifth Avenue Methodist
church, gave the invocation.
The Marine Corps band from
Camp Lejeune presented a 30
minute concert of martial music
prior to Admiral James address,
and following Bellamy's introduc-
ton struck up the lively ali, An
chors Aweigh," as the Admiral
took his place before the micro
phone.
"The City Of Wilmington has long
been identified with the history and
progress Of the American Navy"
Admiral James said in his opens
ing remarks, land it is altogether
fitting that such 4 salute to afvic-
torious fighting fleet have as its
setting your background Of tradi-
ton, leadership and service to the
nation in war and in peace"
Reviews Navy Day
After sketching briefly the origin
Of Navy Day in 1922, Admiral
James pointed out that Navy Day
is celebrated on Oct. u, birthday
of President Theodore Roosevelt
who, like his more recent and
lamented kinsman, realized the
Of the Navy to the we'll
being OF the nation and did his ut
most to keep it strong" Stressing
the Importance of the Navy to our
national defense, Admiral James
quoted Navy Secretary James For
restal who emphasized that the
fact that we have the strongest
Navy in the world 'is not an acct
dent. It is an accurate reflection
of the crucial importance of sea-air
power to our continued existence
as a free and independent people"
Admiral James said a strong
postwar Navy would mean inn
munity from surprise attack; that
the site of battle would be Of our
own choosing and not that OF the
enemy, and that we would have the
instrument necessary to allow our
air and land power to be applied
to the enemy.
There is, however, reason OF
another type why we must main
tain our strong sea power. That
reason lies in the fact that we
are committed to share in the res
possibility for keeping peace in the
world, no matter who. attempts
aggression, or in what part Of the
world an attempt occurs" Admiral
James added.
The Navy at the present time
has 1903 men-of-war plus thou
sands of smaller craft, and 35,-
600 planes in active service the
Admiral stated.
Needs Skilled Personnel
Continuing his theme that pre-
paredness is essential to our safety,
Admiral James pointed out that
the operation of modern weapons
Of war is an intricate operation
requiring skilled men to man them.
''These men rQust be kept trained
Continued on Page Seven, Col. ~