The Portland daily press., 1892-05-14

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WASHINGTON, May 13.-The naval ap-
preparation bill was reported back to the
Senate today from the committee on
commerce with amendments. The bill,
as it came from the House, provided for
an armored cruiser of about 5000 tons
displacement, to cost, exclusive of arma-
ment, not more than $3,500,00O. An
amendment reported from the Senate
committee on appropriations, provided,
in addition, for one sea going coast line of
battleship of about 5000 tons to cost not
exceeding 50, 900, 600; one harbor defense,
double turret ship of the monitor type,
OF about 1000 tons, to cost not exceeding
$4,000, 900; four light draft gunboats, of
exceeding $3.50, 900 each, and six torpedo
boats, to cost not exceeding $4,000
each.
Mr.. Mcpherson, from the naval COM
mittee, offered an amendment to the Sem
ate amendment providing for three
harbor defense double turret ships of the
monitor type instead of one ship. He
said that it was not fast cruisers or battle
ships that were most wanted, but moni-
tors for the defense of the harbors of
the country.
After long discussion, Mr.. Mcpherson
modified his amendment so as to strike
out the House provision for one armored
cruiser, and the Senate provision for one
sea going coast line of battle ship and
for one harbor defense double turret ship
of the monitor type, and to substitute
therefor provision for three harbor de-
tense double turret ships of the monitor
type. He said that great steel war ves-
sells could now be built here for within
three per cent of the cost of building
them on the Clyde. That progress was
made under the policy of building up the
new navy inaugurated under the last adj
ministration.
Mr. Mcpherson having urged the need
of economy in national expenditures, Mr..
Hale said the Senator amendment would
effect no reduction of expenditure. The
cost 81, 500, 900 each, or $13, SOC, 900 in all,
more than the cruiser and battleship
would cost.
Mr. Mcpherson denied the correctness
sof that statement, and spoke of the pro-
visions of the House bill and the Senate
amendment as reckless, extravagant, use
less appropriation.
Mr.. German said the expenditures
were growing year by year, and justly
growing. We had an administration as
honest as any in the history of the gov
ernment, yet the expenditures grew dur
ing that four years. There was an in
crease every year. And as we go on to
construct a navy, open harbors, deepen
rivers, and make great guns for the ar
my and navy, these expenditures must
increase. The expenditures can be re-
duced when we reach point,
which will be, within a year
or two, of stopping further construction
OF the navy, when we have guns enough
and enough torpedo boats, and when we
stop appropriations for rivers and har-
bors. The expenditures for pensions
must continue until time operates to re-
duce them.
Hale, in charge of the bill, said the num-
ber Of ships now under contract was
about % or a. The total appropriations
for these vessels so far amounted to about
$50,000,000 To complete the ships some
where from $40, 900, 900 to $25, 900, 900 more
would have to be appropriated. They
would be practically closed up in 1894.
After the vessels under contract were
completed, we would have more than 80
war vessels, some of very high grade and
most of modern construction.
Mr.. Vilas-''There is no immediate war
anticipated, believe.''
Mr.. Hale-"The Senator knows that
most Of the wars that have occurred in
history were not anticipated until they
were actually present"
In the course of further discussion, MI.
Hale alluded to the fact that if it had not
been for the state of preparation in which
the action of Congress and the activity of
Secretary Whitney had enabled the navy
to be put, the country might have been
''bullied" by Chill. He said that here
after the United States was not to be in
the domain of isolation from foreign af-
fairs it had been in for the last 80 years.
The American people were coming near
er to the people of the rest of the world,
and forming commercial alliances. There
fore Congress was endeavoring in prac-
tical way to keep on with the work of re-
building the navy.
Mr.. Villas remarked, in connection with
the danger from Chill, that it seemed an
other crown of praise for Secretary Whit
neys administration.
MI. Hale admitted that all the credit
was due to Mr.. Whitney, but said Mr..
Chandler, when Secretary of the Navy,
had been engaged in the same work, and
was entitled to like credit.
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