New-York tribune., 1896-06-04
NO AGREEMENT YET on BATTLE-SHlPS
TIE SENATE DISCUSSES TIE CONFERENCE RE
PORT On THE NAVAL BILL.

TIE SENATE DISCUSSES TIE CONFERENCE RE
PORT on THE NAVAL BILL
Washington. June 3-The partial conference report
on the Naval Appropriation bill was presented ana
discussed In the Senate to-day, ana II went over
until Tomorrow the vote 10 he taken az y. IN
Ths points In discussion were as TO the number OF
batte-shps and the contract price for arnor plate
MIR Chandler Rep.. y. h said that he dd not
regard the question between two battle shisand Tour
battle-ships 10 he Of great importance lie hinse!i
was in favor OF four. although the senator from
Texas who was such friend OF struggling Cuba.
had voted for only two He would no; charge the
Senator with Inconsistency In doing So
"If the Senator from New Hampshire" MT Mills
interposel, will give any guarantee that these
vessels shall be used in aid OF the independence OF
Cuba will vote for four. or five. or SIX battle
ships" Haughter)
II think myself" Mr.. Chandler went on. that II
will not make any difference in the pending Cuban
question whether Congress authorizes four or two
batte-ships this time. | am In favor OF two bat
t.e-shlps each year for the next ten years
Mr. Lodge Rep.. Mass) expressed the hope that
the Senate would recede from It's amendment reduc-
ing the number Of batte-shps from four to two and
a a~ree TO the bill 1t came from the House. There
was not the slightest danger he said. OF the United
States getting into II 1t had sufficient Navy
and proper coast defences With tho exception OF
Russia the United States had no friend among tho
nations Of Europe and thus standing alone 1t was
/
the Nation was In a position where It could COM
mand peace.
Mr. Morgan Dem.. Ala) asked unanimous consent
TO offer a resolution calling the President for
! information and action In the matter of United
States citizens captured board the Competitor by
the Spanish authorities. tried by court-nartial and
sentenced TO death
Objection was made by Mr. Hale Rep, Me.), and
tho resolution was not offered.
After a long discussion on the price OF arInor-
plate, Mr.. Tillman (Dem, 8. CO. member Of the
Committee on Naval Affairs said that he had posi-
tive opinions on the question He argued that the
prices paid TO Carnegie and the bethlehem Com
that the production of the armor had cost those
works as much 500 ton. He declared himself
In favor OF protection TO American products. but
the Government should not be robbed by those whom
X protected. He characterized Carnegie and the
Bethlehem works "armor robbers and de-
scribed the armor-plate furnished by them to the
Government fraudulent, spon9y and pug -holed"
around the Capitol. and he asked: Have we Sena-
tors here who interested In having these con-
tracts given out? | Only ask. ] do know"
At the ciose of Mr.. Ti.lman's remarks. the
! ference report went over without action.
Mr. Hale desired unanimous consent to have the
vote taken upon the conference report at o'clock
tomorrow, but objection was made by Mr.. Morgan
(Dcm Ala), apparently in retaliation for Mr. Halo 9
objection to his resolution about the prisoners taken
from the Competitor.
An Arrangement was however effected by Mr.
Allison C4ep. Iowa). under which Mr.. Morgan was
allowed offer his resolution (Which was laid on
the table,, and he withdrew his objection 10 Mr.
Ilae's proposition.
The Senate at 6l5 p. adjourned until to-rnor-
/ ROY n m