The herald., 1896-04-15
Senator Squires Speaks of Our
Coast Defenses.
WARLIKE TALK is CHEAP
But American Demonstration Ends With
Vapid clustering.
Strong Plea for Large Appropriation for
the Construction OF Coast Defenses-
Routine Business.
Associated Press Special Wire

w ASI1IN1IO ON, April If.-,ocHhlol
Morrill, of Vermont reached the age or
Sc years today, and the event was re-
fered to in the opening prayer Of the
senator as hale in body. sound and Wig
orous in intellect, esteemed by his
brother senators, by his state, and by
the whole country. AT the conclusion OF
the prayer, Morrill, received congratula-
tions from many of his associates.
1t was made apparent, after lively
colloquy in the senate today, that there
was no disposition among the silver and
Populist senators to allow a resolution
for a senate inquiry into recent bond
issues to lapse. BY unanimous consent
! 1t had been set for consideration at 2:15
today, but at that time Mr. Chandler
was proceeding with speech on the
Dupont case. Mr.. Gray was waiting to
follow, and Mr.. CullOm had an appropri-
alton bill in reserve. This precipitated
clash, in which Mr.. PETER, reinforced
by Mr. Wolcott and Mr.. Stewart, assert
ed with emphasis that the bond resolu-
tion could not be crowded out either by
design Or inadvertence. An agreement
was finally reached to the effect that
the bond resolution would come up i'm
mediately after Chandler and Gray con-
cluded their speeches.
Shortly after the session opened Nor
rill announced that on Thursday next
he would speak on the necessity of ad
ditional headquarters for the national
museum.
Squire of Washington was then recog-
nized for speech. National defenses
was his subject and as preliminary to
a more detailed discussion of the topics,
the senator said. in part:
What an absurd spectacle has the
congress of the United States presented
during the present session by its persis-
tent talk in favor of Intervention by the
United States in behalf of Cuba and
Venezuela How cheap is all this talk,
,since every man who has informed him
self on the subject of the national de-
lenses knows that as a nation we are not
In condition to undertake to suffer war
We can talk loud and long and profess
sympathy, pass resolutions and make
believe to ourselves that we are actually
taking a hand in diplomatic affairs and
international questions of great mo-
ment, but those who are not deceived by
egotistical glamour and who know the
facts are perfectly aware that this dem
Onstration is mere talk and bluSter anu
vapid sentiment. for at most it is SYM
pathy that is easily satisfied with mere
ly verbal expression"
The people, he continued, did not
know how shamefully their interests are
being banded and played with by those
who represent them in the halls of con-
gress. They do not know that the great
seacoast cities, teeming with wealth. are
exposed and defenseless against attack
by foreign navies with vessels far out
not know that our navy itself may be
hopelessly crippled by the destruction OF
our undefended navy yards, depots of
supplies, dock yards, powder mills and
arSenals.
The senator said all the evidence
taken by the committee on coast de-
fenseS is lamentable in the extreme
Tile defensive works are of a character
incapable of resisting modern artillery.
The evidence is overwhelming that in
case of war our whole people would
suffer immeaSurably.
From such investigation as has been
practicable, it is evident that large
amount of destructible property. esti-
mated at not less than ten billion dol
lars in value, is exposed to attack OF at
least to heavy assessment for the pur-
pose of securing immunity from de-
struction. The president of the cham
Der of commerce of New York in
formed me that he has given careful
attention to the question of property
risks that would at present be Sus-
tained in the cities of New York, Brook
lyn and Jersey City. He has Honsulted
with many of his colleagues in the great
business institutions of New York and
he estimates that property valued at
four billion dollars in those cities is sub
Ject to destruction or to the imposition
OF ransom in case of capture of the
port of New York by a hostile fleet
Az this point the senator presented n
statement showing comparison of ou,.
navy with that of England, and also a
statement of all the steel vessels in the
American navy, including those au-
thorized by law, also some data as to
the naval fighting strength of other ma
ttons. This summary" he said, '.is
believed to be the most favorable to the
United states that can be made from
the records. and still shows this country
to be far behind the great nations of the
world in naval strength. Moreover, it
leaves out of sight our deficiency in tor
pedo boats and torpedo boat destroy
ers, OF which latter we have today one.
small vessel in commission whereas
Great Britain has 49, Germany 1IG.
France 10S, Italy 106, Russia IS, and
even Spain has 13 torpedo vessels-all
in the list have given being lis feet IN
length and over. sSixty-two of the
British vessels are torpedo boat-de-
stroyers, having superior tonnage and
speed.
The senator argued that the sugges-
tion to defend our coasts and seaport
cities by fleets is impracticable, for it
Will. he said, require expenditures run
ming up into several hundred million
collars to do the work effectively
IL the policy of building up the navy
is to be continued at the expense of
having defenseless shores, then the time
mas come when a change of policy must
DE made. There is no doubt that the
money expended for coast defenses will
pflhg better return in protecting our
country than the same amount of
money appropriated for ships.
senator Squire then argued that
giance at the historical development of
our coast defenses will show that the
questlon now under consideration does
not indicate a new departure but it is
logical step in continuation of the
setted policy of this government since
lts Ioundation. He referred to the sea
coast defenses of European powers
that England is increasing her fortifi-
cailons and heavy armament in both
Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and in this
connection said -'' Ills
20 II IS, we are encircled as nation
with a chain of foreign fortresses and
coaiins stations impervious to attack.
wniie our rich seacoast cities and ports,
commencing at Portland, Me-. near the
fortified Halifax in Canada continr;aSr
gown the coast to Portsmouth, Boston
New Bedford, Providence and NarraI
re<GA H.