The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-07-25
FLOATING CASTLES OR FAST CRUISERS.
Senatorial Opinion of the Kind of
War Ships We Need,
Brought Out In Discussion Of the
Naval Appropriation Bill.
Senator Hale Tells About Men-'o-
War and Their Cost.

WASHINGTON, July 2244-<!The Senate today
discussed the naval appropriation bill. The
most important amendments reported by the
committee was to add to the item for the
construction Of three new steel cruisers the
following: "Also three gunboats or cruis-
ers, neither of which shall exceed 100 tons
in displacement nor $500,000 in cost, includ-
ing any premium that may be paid for in
creased speed and excluding the cost of arm
ament; said vessels to be built either wholly
of steel or with steel frames;" to strike out
of the items the words: sand one armored
cruiser of about 1900 tons displacement to
cost not more than So, ,oO0;" also to strike
out the provision that at least one of the
vessels shall be built in an United States
navy yard if the Secretary cannot make rea-
sonable contracts for their construction.
Senator Gray moved to amend the
amendment by striking out the words
'1,7o0 tons" and inserting the words 5000
tons" and by increasing the cost from $780,
600 to 100000 each.
Senator Hale, who is in charge of the bill,
favored Senator Gray's amendment.
Senator Morgan approved the committees
amendment except as to striking out the pro-
regarded these large vessels more efficient
than forts in the protection Of harbors
Senator Hale defended the action of the
committee. He said he did not think the
building or not building of great. heavy, un-
wieldy ,armored ships raised the question
OF whether or not the Senate was willing to
build up the navy. The navy was being
bullt up and reconstructed. Two of these
large ships, the Maine and Texas, are now
being built at cost of $5,0OO.0OO each, al
fh0nOb Qcfimatad Of Ill
millions. He did not think they would be
completed during the term of any Senator.
lie did not want to see another of them be-
gun until 1t was known how that expert
ment turned out, but wanted to go on adding
TO the navy, year by year, fast and large steel
cruisers which would be valuable in war
and valuable as deterrents to prevent other
powers from making war against the United
States.
Senators Hawley and Teller agreed with
Senator Morgan in favoring the construction
OF large armored ships in addition to swift
cruisers.
Senator Butler said that cruisers would
not be effective in naval fight with foreign
power, lie would supplement the fast cruis-
erS with dozen of the best fighting ships.
Senator Hale remarked that in such a
naval conflict ship of even 1900 tons would
be worth nothing against the great ironclads
OF the Italian, Russian. English or French
naYles. fleet OF that kind would cost at
least hundred millions.
Senator Morgan spoke of the moral power
strong. fighting navy would give the Unit
ed States, and Senator Stewart moved an
amendment to the House clause SO as to pro
vide for two vessels of war of about $1,000
tons. each, at cost of $2O.O0O,OOO He spoke
in favor of building up a fighting navy.
Other speeches in favor of building large
war ships and a strong navy were made by
Senators Butler, Reagan, Gibson and Stew
art. The amendment was rejected-yeas, 9:
nays, Al; the affirmative votes being by SEN
ators Butler Cameron, Evarts, Gibson,
hampton, MITCHELL, Platt, Stewart and
Stockbridge. The House provision went