The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-01
BATTLESHIPS IN SENATE.
The Bill Leads to q Discussion of FL
nances and Gold and Bonds.

Ihe Bill Leads to a Discussion of FL
nances and Gold and Bonds.
Washington, April 3o.-The senate
spent another day on the naval appro-
priation bill without completing It.
German further opposed the item of
four battleships. and expressed the
opinion that the appropriations already
made would consume the balance in
the treasury. A determination of the
number of battleships has not yet been
reached. Chandler has proposed SUBJ
stituting 30 large and fast torpedo
gunboats for two Of the battleships.
White spoke Of the need OF coast de-
fenses before more naval vessels were
built, and Allen made a speech Of more
than three hours arraigning the two
old parties. The bill was taken up soon
after the senate opened.
White spoke of the need OF an ade-
Quate navy, but urged this should not
exclude the extensions of land defenses.
He presented the views of military and
naval authorities showing the defense
less conditions of our harbors, parti-
cularly the Pacific coast. AS we stand,
said he. 1t is utterly foolish for US to
attempt to challenge the power of any
great nation of the world. A war be-
tween the United States and either of
the great European powers would mean
ruin unexampled. While not opposing
the building up OF the navy, yet he
wanted to put out the need of some
harbor OF refuge for them In case of
war.
Allen said the Venezuelan scare had
been started to divert attention of the
financial question and all the lingo
speeches Of the Monroe doctrine had
gone for naught. 1t was all q political
play for party advantages. In CRITICS.
ing the bond issuing policy Of the old
parties, Allen said that shortly before
the Harrison administration closed
Secretary of the Treasury Foster called
together a party of New York bankers
with view of forming syndicate, and
there was some talk as to the profit
which would have come to Foster by a
bond transaction.
Platt Immediately interrupted to say
that If the Nebraska senator made such
a statement he ought to give his au-
thority.
Allen answered that he made no
charge; he mentioned incidentally hav-
ing read somewhere to the effect that
Foster would profit to the extent of
s., SOC, 900.
Allison also said that no such state
ment had been made without producing
any authority, and Allen repeated that
he made no charge. merely repeating
what he had read. Allen predicted that
the republican party would be victori-
Gus at the next national election and
that the democratic party would go out
of power for a third of a century.
Three months hence. he said. there
would be a great bolt In the democrat
is ranks, one wing taking refuge In the
populist party and the other becoming
goldbugs. Turning to the republican
party. Allen accused 1t of frying the
fat out OF the protected industries and
said that party. too. would go out of
power in 1900. giving place to a party OF
the people. Allen spoke until 4 o'clock.
The question reverted to the item of
battleships. German made a point of
order against an amendment offered by
Quay fixing the number of battleships
at six.
II hope there will be vote" said
Mr.. Quay. THE republican party will
be in possession of the government be-
fore the construction Of these ships Is
begun. with plenty OF money In the
treasury and ample funds to pay for
them"
The chair. Mr.. Call. sustained the
point OF order and the Quay amend
ment went over.