New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-11
DISCUSSING THE NEW NAVY.
PROGRESS MADE WITH THE NAVAL APPRO.
PRIATION BILL
oNE NEW SHIP PROVIDED FoR-ARMs FOR THE
NAVAL MILITIA.

oNE NEW SHIP PROVIDED FoR-ARMS FOR THE
NAVAL MILITIA
Washington. Feb. 10.-The Naval Appropriation bill
taken up IN the senate to-day and good deal OF
progress was made with 1t before adjournment Fcw
amendments have been Inserted in the bill by the
senate Committee on Appropriations and there will be
little difficulty in securing early agreement between
the two houses this measure. As reported to the
senate it carries total appropriation Of 3l ,564.000
between 100000 and 100000 less than the appro
pration for last year. OF this sum Sl6.6O7 900. or
over half Is for the construction and armament Of
vessels heretofore authorized. The pending
bin adds but one ship to the Navy providing for the
construction of protected cruiser of 1900 DIS
placement. costing without armament not more than
60, 100000, and having maximum speed Of not less
than twenty-one knots The scope Of the bill
clearly and concisely outlined by Mr. Hale, who has
charge of It, on the Senate taking ii up. and little
needs 70 be added to what lie has well said.
The committee amendment appropratiDg $4,000
for arms for the naval militia met with opposition, but
after good deal of debate agreed to by vote OF
81 to 49,
In the discussion Of the bill Mr.. Mcpherson re-
marked that there was provision whatever Tor
floating harbor defences. Mr. Hale said that on that
point 1t had been deemed better TO leave the bill as
the House had left it.
Mr. Mcpherson argued that the true policy and the
American plan not build great warshps to meet
the enemy the ocean, but 20 have floating batteries
in the harbors of the Monitor type. Mr. Dolph ar
gued that the proper harbor defences were not floating
batteries but land fortincapons, and here the ha''c
rested.
The first amendment reported from the Committee
on Appropriations was the following: "To enable
the President to careful soundings to be haoe
between san Francisco and Honolulu for the purpose
of determining the practicaby OF the laying OF 'ee
graphic cable between those points, $4,000 or SO
much thereof as may be necessary and the PRESIDENT
a,tlo rizpdt n dpcf II
vessels belonging TO the United states in making such
survey" II agreed to- after remarks by MI Tor
man. that it not to be regarded as committing uo
Government in any way 10 the proposition thaV 'nc
Government to lay the cable.
The item of 500 900 for the naval militia OF various
States was challenged by Mr. Carlisle, and was ex
planned by Mr. Hale applying to certain states 'ias
had organizations for drilling and training Tor naval
servce inst like the land militia for land service
Mr.. Carlisle said that the matter was new to him'
and he asked in what States there was naval mhua'
Mr. Hale said that there were half dozen STATES
that had a naval militia. lie named NC" iorh'
massachusetts,, Rhode Island, Connecticut and me
thought New-JeTsey. they "oio '"p'' '
schools for emergency.
Mr. Carlisle thought that Congress ought not to
enier on such new policy without information ana
careful consideration
Mr. Hawley explained how, in cases Oh emergency
this naval militia might be Of extraordinary
N the Federal Government, anu uO7N''DNN ''"'
State NJ Connecticut had done in that drecuon' oo
coud turn out in six hours $500 men dour regiments
and battery) admirably drilled, armed and EQUIPPED
and mt them on the for service at vi
elsewhere The State owned fine body OF ahu on
the coast not far from NewL London where these men
went into camp every year, and where 'heS were
drilled in the use Of mortars and heavy guns. lie re-
earded the proposition one of the most thoughU'
measures of auxiliary defence undertaken for some
time. ,,. ,sor
Mr.. German thought that the Senate should under-
stand perfectly that the proposition was only De
Ginning and that it would be followed hereafter oS
large annual appropriations. ~. .,o ,orooronb
~ Nr Carlisle moved to strike out OF tue pars8idpy
the words equipment and" 50 that IL "ouiu ic"u
. for arms for naval militia" etc. -. -. .ho onend
Mr. Hale colcurred u the prOprieV VI 'io ~
WcssTs' Chandler Hampton and Morgan spose ,, III
favor of the naval militia clause, ana IL was HH"iS
adopted - o.. irs.r+ naracraph
inc next amendment was 10 insert pa tr1ctipn
concentrating $4,000 continue the c9hslruc15i .
81 - Timber drydoek at the coaing station al ror'
Eoval s G.. II was agreed TO- .s, f.. . orr
The neSt amendment one provldlng LOT 9 uIs
dock on the Columbia River, or on Puget noun It
NJ Allen moved a substitute for II, DXhe tle sly
~ port orchard on Puget sound ana SPOKE III suppoa'
~ II Mr. DoIrh favored the amendment as repV'SSI'
LEAVING the secretary Of the Navy 10 exercise MS 5uus
sn- as 10 whether the dry dock shonld De on iutee
Sonrd or on Columbia River. NO ACTON Oh I"o
1rfeat