Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-05-27
Line Battle Ships.

Ihe senate, after an animated ueDae,
resolved, by vote of eighteen TO thirty
thrse, that the proper defense Of the
country calls for the immediate building
of four line Of battle ships at cost OF
lbur millions each. These are TO be ad-
ditions TO the line of smaller war ships
that we have started to build, and they
are simply first installment of a lot of
seventeen line of battle ships that the
navy department has recommended
Che construction Of and which are TO Ike
appropriated for in triplets by succeed
ing Congresses.
senator Cockrell moved to omit these
big vessels as not called for by the state
OF peace In which the country exists, "a
too unwicldy TO be useful and as not
needed rs means of depicting the sur
plus, which he declares has long ago
gone where the woodbne twineth under
the legislation of this Congress.
Senator Cockrell did not speak for
the Democratic party, for a notable
number of Democratic senators voted
for the big ships and Republican sena-
tors voted against them. Ii was not
party matter, though the body of the
vote for and against was respectively
Republican and Democrat, showing the
natural disposition Of each partythe
one TO extravaganza and the other to
economy. For 1t is simply aquestion Of
whether the whistle is worth Its cost
Senator Blair, who has habit of
taking position afar OF from his
: colleagues, was In favor of this appro-
priation under conditions. He moved
that Great Britain lie first requested to
I withdraw her garrisons from the Ameri-
can continents upon her failure to
move off within year after notice the
New Hampshire sage was ready to vote
the biggest appropriation for the biggest
ships TO put the country in con-
dition TO enforce his notions of
it, right to rule the Americas.
Senator Blair's colleagues plainly told
him, but In somewhat politer words, that
he was fool to think that England
would take note Of such request and to
propose that the United States should
make 1t. Mr.. Blair's opinion was other
wise. He held that England would see
that she had no business over here, and
disposition to promote good will among
men. He declared that she favored
the disarmament of nations, and
hungered 10 forward the millenia
days OF peace. He asked Senator Hale
81 Of Maine, who was not for the ships
I whether be read his Bible aud whether
~ believed the millennium was coming
md secured the assurance of the Main,
: man that the day would net come until
the proposed line Of battle ships had hat
ample chance to do their work In for
wArding 1t.
Beneath the seeming folly of Sena tol
Blair's motion there is a store of sense
The appropriation for the battle ships |,
y sdyocated upon the ground that the
country should be ready. No presen
need In claimed. No foe but England Il
eOnsidered. Collision with her is hel,
to be among the possibilities Of tn,
future, because her flag floats near u
and her land joins us. Her great nava
armament is held in terror over our leg
talators' heads to urge them to build ,
like one. 1t Is held TO be needed only
- precaution against England'i
swooping down upon our defenceles
4 coast. The result Of such assault of hel
ships would doubtless be great loss TO
the moment, to be followed, as we al
believe, and as we believe England I,
b. believe, by terrible retribution upol
her and by no ultimate gain to her
This being the sense of the world, i
would seem that the sense Of our Senat
should find means Of securing the peac
Of our shores, other than the buildin,
Of big ships at great cost, admittedly
never to come into action and to fin,
& their sole utility in their show.
Not being expert in naval warfare on
opinion as TO the lack of value to us 0
armored line of battle ships is held mod
f::is, sh.lt nevertheless it seem,er " ,neet
strong reasons t3tn9saN> hes ABLE seryls; II,
compensates for their lackeo.. .,.I an.Ua 10, ~
and 1t especially calls for the record of on
notable deed done by one of these mod
ern Leviathians To the honor of the class
"