The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-05-27
ENGLISH SHIPS BLOCKADE THE COAST.
In Word Pictures Of War Painted by
the Senators Yesterday.
Brother Blair Anxious About Senator
HaIe's Bible Studies.
The Naval Bill Finally Passed, Big
Ships and All.

resumed consideration OF the naval apprO-
priation bill, the pending question being on
Mr.. Cockrelfs amendment to strike out the
provision for the construction of three heavi-
ly armed battle ships at cost of $4,7OO,OCo.
Mr.. Cockrell quoted the remark of Mr.. Hale
to the effect that all that was sought in the
provision was be ginning to put the United
States in position where no nation could
humiliate it. He also quoted at considera-
BILE length from report of the naval board
until he came to the declaration that ''the
United States must maintain navy at least
equal in strength to the most powerful navy
in the world"
"What document is the Senator reading
from?" MI. Hale asked.
II am reading from the report of the poll
cy board" was Mr.. Cockrells reply
Mr.. Hale-"It would be difficult for the
Senator from Missouri to find Senator on
this floor or any responsible official of the
government including the Secretary of the
the policy board. The Senator may read
from that report until the sun goes down
and he will be attacking nobody who will be
be defended here. The officers of that board
were able and competent men. .skilful in
that the one thing for the government to do
that of any nation of the Old World. No
body else is in favor of that"
MT. Cockrell!.This board was. ap-
Navy for the purpose Of giving him sugges
ti0ns and recommendations.
Mr.. Hale-There are good many valuable
things to be found in the report but the Sec
retary never accepted it as being guide for
ter he sent to Congress with the report he
took good care to disclose his ewn position,
showing that the Secretary is moderate and
only asks for a respectable navy. The navy
proposed by the policy board is the root of
all the mischief that has been wrought. 1t
has startled the country, alarmed the So
ciety of Friends and alarmed Congress. 1t is
no wonder that the report did send a note of
alarm throughout the country. That is why
the legitimate progress we ought to make in
building respectable navy has been him
dered. It is the fear of that vast grand and
lordly scheme laid out by the policy board"
Mr.. Cockrell continued at great length de-
claring that If these coast defenseS were con-
structed the force of the standing army
would have to be doubled. 1t now cost
then cost eighty-two million dollars, and all
for what? To terrorize other nations In
stead of setting an example of peaceful arbi-
tratiOn to the nations of the earth, the
United States, the new republic, the stirring
light Of the world, was to tell them that it
which m0narchial governments had resorted
to from time immemOrlal. 1t would be folly
for the United States to engage in the use
less, hazardous and eXtravagant undertak-
ing of building great battle ships but the
temptation for all such schemes of expendi-
ture was the surplus. 1t was we'll for the
Senate to remember that the surplus was al
ready gone. 1t was only myth today.
In a FOOLS Paradise.
Debate was continued by Messrs. Reagan,
Stewart, Voorhees, and others. Mr.. Gray,
while quite agreeing with Mr.. Voorhees,
that the strength of the United States de-
pended largely on the fact that the nations
of the world had become familiar with the
Sf fhs arose. did not think reliance
on that power exactly opposite to anything
involved in the amendment. The policy of
the United States was to avoid, SO far as pos
sible, initiating in any degree the policy of
monarchical governments in maintaining
large and standing establishments, whether
OF the navy or army. but 1t had been the
policy of the United States for several gen.
erations to maintain the nucleus for a stand
ing army, to preserve the cadre of the army
as an organization that might be adapted on
emergencies to the needs of the times. The
proposition before the Senate was in line
with that well settled policy. The United
States Stats could not 60 on forever f. yng b in
get ready for fight. It would not do for
the United States to fold its arms and be-
lieye itself competent to maintain its honor
and dignity unless it had at least the begin
ming from which preparations could be
made when an emergency arose.
Mr.. Butler opposed the amendment to
strike out the provisions for the three battle
ships. BE had supposed the policy to con-
struct a respectable navy had been de-
termined upon and regretted that it was not
in his power to vote for eight battle ships in
stead of three. While he did not look for
war between the United States and Great
Britain, it should be remembered that there
were some delicate and difficult questions
pending between the two governments. He
hoped they might be settled by negotiation
or arbitration but SO long as human nature
was as 1t was, it was unsafe to assume that
the United States was in no danger of col
lision with foreign power.
Modest Request.
Mr.. Blair moved to amend the provision
for three battle ships by inserting the words;
But this provision shall not be available until
the government OF Great Britain shall have been
requested by the President to withdraw all her
naval forces from American,waters and dismante
her naval stations in both North and South
America and the adjacent islands and shall have
declined or shall have neglected for one year so
to do.
He said that if Great Britain did not ac-
cede to that request the policy of the naval
committee would have to become the policy
Of the country. The United States would
sea. He asked Mr.. Hale how large navy
the United States ought to have.
Mr.. Hale replied there ought to be half
dozen great war ships on the Atlantic coast,
and four or five more on the Pacific coast.
That would be very moderate naval force.
Mr.. Blair-"We must have navy large
apouUh If we are nhliQpd tn have IL ~
Mr.. Hale-"What does the Senator think
would be the reply of Great Britain if the
demand was made upon her to withdraw her
war vessels from American waters and dis
mantle her fertifications?"
Mr.. Blair-"I should hope it would be IA
vorable." Laughter.
Mr.. Hale-"Does the Senator think it
would be?"
Mr.. Blair 81 do not know why it should
not be. A very large proportion of the
British Parliament is in favor of arbitration.
Why should they not be in favor of disarma-
ment?"
Mr.. Hale-"The Senator is not nearly as
simple as his remarks would indicate.
| [Laughter.] He is not lacking In common
sense or in the craft which characterizes the
state from which he comes. If he were in a
responsible position. representing the honor
and dignity of the country, he would be the
last man who would venture to make such g
proposition to the British government.
therefore ask the Senator to give US the ben,
eft of little candor and tell us what he
thinks would be the answer of the British
government to a proposition to dlSmantle hel
Notifications and remove her navy from
American waters"
Has the Senator Read the Bible +?
Mr.. Blair-"Did the Senator from Maine
ever read the Bible? Has he any idea that
there is to be millennium Does he under
stand that the time is to come when nations
| will learn war no more"
"Mr. Hale-"Would the Senator himself
be ready?"
Mr.. Blair-"Will the Senator answer my
| question:"
Mr.. Hale-"I have read the Bible"
Mr.. Blair.-"That is good, so far. hat
not believed It. [Laughter.l | ask the Sen
atoI II he believes the time is to come wheI
nations shall learn war no more?"
MIR. Hale-"Not in the Senator's day, o.
NINE"
Mr.. Blair-"Does he believe that the tim,
will ever come unless there be an effort tt
bring it about? The Senator is facinl
cd Aba6 6ox1