Robert M. Thompson
Frank W. Hackett
John W. Weeks

Irving Scott
Perry Belmont

The Navy League of the United States,
first suggested in 1901, had its roots in
the Civil War because it was founded by
men some of whom served in the Navy
during that war but who resigned during
the stagnation of promotion that existed
between the close of the Civil War and
the beginning of the Spanish War. Most
of them returned to the Service during
the Spanish War and were connected with
the Naval Militia both before and after

that war.

Inspired by love for the Navy and for
their Country, having a first hand knowl-
edge of the horrors of war and believing
that, owing to our geographical position,
war could come to us only across the sea
and that, therefore, an efficient and ade-
quate Fleet was the best defense against
invasion and the surest, best and cheapest
insurance of peace, they founded the Navy
League to urge the creation and mainte-
nance of such a Fleet.

President Theodore Roosevelt contrib-
uted a part of the Nobel Peace Prize
money given to him to the Navy League
and was the first President to endorse the
organization. His letter follows: