The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-04-09
NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE HOUSE
Messrs. BouteIIe and Lodge Show
the Need of Battle Ships.
What Has Bean Already Done n
Building the New Navy.
Workshops Which Rival Any Of Their
Kind in the World.

WASHINGTON, April 8.-The House today
went into committee of the whole on the
naval appropriation bill. Mr.. Boutelle Of
Maine, congratulated the country that under
the policy carried out in building the new
navy the fact was demonstrated that we
were able to produce anything that entered
into its construction.
There existed much skepticism, few
years ago, as to the possibility, with the ut
most endeavor, that the country would be
able before long period to produce the i'm
mense FORCES required in the construction of
the large engines and the heavy armor of
ships of war. Today these was established
in Pennsylvania, a great steel producing
plant which, when in full working order,
would be in many respects the largest of its
kind in the world. In Washington was a
shop for the manufacture OF naval guns of
the largest calibre and most formidable
type. This shop was turning out ordnance
that he believed had not its equal, The gov
should make reasonable and judicious be-
ginning of the construction of vessels power
full enough for the defense of the coast. II
the United States was to maintain modern
navy. it must have, in addition to commerce
destroyers and small and useful gunboats,
vessels capable of resisting aggression when
it came in its most formidable shape. The
committee had provided for the construction
OF three seagoing coast line battle ships de-
signed to carry the heaviest armor and most
powerful ordnance. The time was oppor-
tune. The people expected this step in naval
development to be taken.
Mr.. Sayers of Texas criticized the report
of the committee for failing to furnish infor-
nation respecting the increase of the navy.
This brought Mr. Boutelle to his feet In con-
tanned no such foolish statement as that
made by the gentleman.
Mr.. Sayers replied that he hoped the gen.
tleman had learned by this time to be gen.
tleman, and that, in his intercourse with
him, Mr.. Sayersl he would treat him as
gentleman.
Mr.. Boutelle retorted that the gentleman
had no right to misquote his report
Mr.. Spinola hoped nothing serious would
grow out Of the controversy.
Mr.. Sayers insisted that Mr.. Boutelle keep
his seat and his temper, and proceeded with
his criticism of the bill, direction his atten-
tion chiefly to the provision, relating to large
battle ships, which he said had not been suffi-
GENTLY explained in the report.
Mr. Holman OF Indiana expressed aston
ishment at the magnitude of the naval pro-
gramme marked out by the Secretary Of the
Navy, and initiated by this bill He con-
tended that the existing navy, comprising 81
vessels of the first, second, third and fourth
classes. not including smaller vessels. was
amply adequate for every purpose for which
the United States could need navy He
ridiculed the idea that the United States
was In a vulnerable position. IL was the
least vulnerable of all nations of the world,
being protected by its isolation from all Eu-
ropean controversies, by the high principle
OF justice which governed its relations with
foreign countries, and by the fact that the
only two nations with which there was any
possibility of coming into conflict, Great
Britain and Spain. had given hostages in
Canada and Cuba.
vision OF the bill for three battle ships.
What was the object of building these ships?
Mr.. Boutelle-"To fight"
Mr.. Peters-"To fight where? If we were
to be involved with any foreign nations the
war would not be on the Atlantis 1r the Pa
cific o,ean." Continuing, Mr.. ters said
the strongest mandate was a diplomatic
TT + BoutsIls 81 { inquired how thai mandate
Mr.. Peters replied it would be employed in
preventing war.
Mr.. Boutelle inquired whether the gentle
man would send diplomat out to meet
British man-of-war.
Mr.. Peters replied that we now had navy
which could carry diplomat to any port in
any foreign country. The days for battle
ships on the ocean had passed. This coun-
try would have no more naval warfare.
strength of the early navy Of this country.
After the war decadence followed. A few
years ago the country was confronted with
the serious fact that we had ho navy. Our
coasts were unprotected. One English war
ship could lay New York under ransom. 1t
took long time to build Notifications. The
quickest defence was navy consisting of
few ships of the best and most powerful
type. We had built fast cruisers and gun
boats and should now build ships that would
be speedy, yet possess fighting qualities. We
should have small but efficient navy to de-
fend our country, and produce the great
moral effect abroad of sufficient fighting
force.
Mr.. Boutelle thought the question whether
we were to have navy already settled. If
we should stop now, it would be gigantic
farce. 1t would be like erecting great forti-
fications and arming the troops with pixies
and bayonets. When it came to the defense
of our country, when the dignity. prestige
aad safety of our institutions were involved,
the American people did not stop to count
the cost. In the early days. when the
revenues were but SIS, 100000 yearly, the
government freely appropriated money for
ships. That was the day when economy
was based on common sense. The amount
carried by the bill was but little of the in
surance upon our coast property The de-
tense must not be within our Threshold. but
our ships must go outside, and keep the in
vader from our coast.
The bill was taken up by sections, but
without completing detailed consideration
the committee rose at 525 and the House ad-
iournpd ~