[Illustration:  RAYMOND POINCARE

President of the French Republic Since Feb. 18, 1913

(Photo from P.S.  Rogers.)]

[Illustration:  THE RIGHT HON.  H.H.  ASQUITH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Ireland

(Photo from Brown Bros.)]

The resolution, which was adopted at a session at which members of the Executive Committee consulted by long-distance telephone, some of them being in Washington and others in New York at the Union League Club, read: 

“In view of the crisis in our foreign relations, we, as representatives of the Navy League of the United States, express our emphatic belief that Congress should be immediately assembled and that measures should be taken at once to strengthen our national defense.  Our most pacific country should, because of its supreme love of peace, possess preponderant naval strength and adequate military strength.  A large bond issue of, if necessary, $500,000,000 should be authorized at once.  These bonds would be rapidly absorbed by the American people for such a purpose.  Equipped with a mighty fleet, American life and American rights would be scrupulously respected by all belligerents.  In such case there would be no thought of our entering into war.

“GENERAL HORACE PORTER,
  President;

“ROBERT M. THOMPSON,
  Chairman Executive Committee;

“CHARLES A. FOWLER,

“PERRY BELMONT,

“JOHN C. O’LAUGHLIN,

“FRANK J. SYMES.”

The Drowned Sailor

By MAURICE HEWLETT.

[From “Sing Songs of the War.”]

    Last night I saw my true love stand
      All shadowy by my bed. 
    He had my locket in his hand;
      I knew that he was dead.

    “Sweetheart, why stand you there so fast,
      Why stand you there so grave?”
    “I think,” said he, “this hour’s the last
      That you and I can have.

    “You gave me this from your fair breast,
      It’s never left me yet;
    And now it dares not seek the nest
      Because it is so wet.

    “The cold gray sea has covered it,
      Deep in the sand it lies;
    While over me the long weeds flit
      And veil my staring eyes.

    “And there are German sailors laid
      Beside me in the deep;
    We have no need of gun nor blade,
      United in our sleep.”

    “Dear heart, dear heart, come to my bed,
      My arms are warm and sweet!”
    “Alack for you, my love,” he said,
      “My limbs would wet the sheet.

    “Cold is the bed that I lie on
      And deep beneath the swell;
    No voice is left to make my moan
      And bid my love farewell.”

    Now I am widow that was wife—­
      Would God that they could prove
    What law should rule, without the strife
      That’s robbed me of my love!