The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-15
DEFEND THE COASTS
Senator squires Urges an Appropria-
ton of Large Proportions.
EVERYBODY CAN LICK US
Any Foreign Power Can Come Here
and Do Just About as 1t Pleases
Then the Dupont Case Takes
Its Place on the Floor.

| liat on thursday next he would speak
on the necessity of additional quarters
Tor the national museum.
Squire was then recognized for a
speech on the need of coast defenses.
National defenses" was the subject OF
Senator Squires' speech. and as a pre-
liminary to more detailed discussion OF
the topic the senator said in part:
What an absurd spectacle has the con-
gress of the United States presented dur
| ing the present session by it's persistent
| talk In favor of the Intervention by the
United States in behalf of Cuban and
| venezuela How cheap is all this talk,
sincere though it may be on many occa-
sions. Every man who has informed him
self on the subject of national defenses
knows that, as a nation, we are not in
| condition to undertake war or suffer
war. We can talk loud and long and pro-
fess sympathy, pass resolutions and make
believe to ourselves that we are actually
| taking hand in the diplomatic affairs
and International questions of great mo-
| ment, but those who are not deceived by
egotistical glamor and who know the
| facts are perfectly aware of the painful
| truth that this demonstration is mere
talk and buster and vapid sentiment, or
at most sympathy that is easily satisfied
with merely verbal expressions.
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
sea-coast cities, teaming with wealth, are
exposed and defenseless against attack
by foreign navies and vessels far out
numbering ours in strength. They do not
know that our navy itself may be hone
lessly crippled by the destruction of our
undefended navy yards, depots of sup
plies, dockyards. powder mills and ar
senals."
The senator said all the evidence taken
by the committee on coast defenses had
gone to show that the condition of our
coast defenses is lamentabe to the ex-
treme. The 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, 1t
is evident that large amount of de-
structible property, estimated at not less
than $lOOOO, 100000 in value, is exposed to
attack, or at least to heavy assessment
Tor the purpose of securing immunity
from destruction. The president Of the
chamber of commerce of New York has
informed me that he has given careful
attention to the question of the property
risks that would at present be sustained
IN the cities of New York, Brooklyn and
Jersey City. He has consulted with
many of his colleagues in the great BUSH
ness institutions of New York. and he es-
Inmates that property valued at 81 900, ,0OO,-
700 in those cities is subject to destruc-
tion or to imposition of a ransom i'm case
OF capture of the port of New York by
a hostile fleet"
AT this point the senator presented a
statement showing a comparison of our
navy with that of England, and also a
statement of all the steel vessels in the
ri sw..r
lzed by law; also some data as to
the naval fighting strength of other ma
tions. He then said: This summary is
believed to be the most favorable to the
United States that can be made from the
records, and still 1t shows this country
to be far behind the great nations of the
world In strength. Moreover. 1t leaves
out or sight our deficiency in torpedo
boat destroyers, of which latter we have
to-day one small vessel in commission.
whereas Great Britain has 49, Germany
ll6, France los, Italy los, Russia 7s and |
even Spain has 10 torpedo vessels. All in
the list l have given being 115 feet in
length and over. Sixty-two of the British |
vessels are torpedo boat destroyers, hav- |
ing superior tonnage and speed"
In this connection he said: so IL is. we |
are encircled as a nation with a chain of |
foreign fortresses and coaling stations /
lmpervious to attack, while our rich sea- /
coast cities and ports, commencing at |
portland, Me-, near to fortified Halifax.
IN canada, continuing down to Ports
mouth, Boston, New Bedford. Providenca
and Narragansett bay, New London New
Haven and Bridgeport. New York. Phil /
adeiphia, Baltimore, Wilmington. Del.
Norroik, Wilmington, N. c. Charleston
Fort Royal, Savannah, Key West. Mobile
and New Orleans and Galveston within a
lew hours. rapid steaming from the for
elgn fortihed ports of Bermuda, Nassau.
Havana end Kingston; and again on the
Pacific coast, San Diego. San Francisco
Portland. Ore, and Puget sound. with its
Ohlted states dry docks, coaling places
ma cities, some OF them within sound of
ne British cannon at Esquimalt all Law
exposed and helpless to attack of anv
orelgh power that possesses a navy.
apulous wealth lies at the mercy of a
reebooting enemy, IL such shall at anv
ime elude our small and scattered navy
our foreign commerce and our coast
ng trade are alike without harbors of
efuge behind land defenses. Our great
Try docks and ship building yards. our
rms factories and powder mills near the
oast are subject to easy destruction and
'ur own navy is without protected bases
or receiving supplies and for effecting
he repairs that are constantly REQUIRED
md yet we plume ourselves on our di-
lomacy."
In closing the senator hoped the bin
roviding for the expenditure of $50 0O0.-
~ Tor the sea coast defenses would be Z
dopted without serious modification ,
AT the close of Squire's speech.
handler took the floor I'm support of
he Dupont claim. He said this was
he first case in the history of the SEN ,
te that governor claimed the right
vote for a senator. Chandler pre-
ented novel analogy to the Dupont /
ase as follows: Can't a vice president
( the United States become president ]
pon the happening Of vacancy. take |
ne oath Of Office as president and per- ]
orm his duties at the executive man !
ion. keep watch OF the proceedings / {
the senate. and finding an import 4
Mt house bill about TO be defeated by =
tie vote. come frnrn the executive