The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-15
SPEAKER REEDS POSITION.
He Is Opposed to War and to Annex
alton.

| Washington, March l3.-Speaker Reed
whose position on the Spanish crisis hal
been the subject to much criticism, has
made public, through close persona
| friend, his attitude in the matter. The
interview was written out and left viii
this gentleman, who lauer returned the
matter with some slight changes o.
phraseology written in with lead pencil
In this form he authorized the use of the
| interview as expressing the views of "ths
Speaker in discussing the whole matter
with close personal and political
| friend.''
He quoted Speaker Reed as saying:
"The United States does not want
war If it can be avoided in any way. Oh
course, this would not hold in the event
| that our national honor was at stake.
War is relic of barbarisIn, and in this
day there should be some other method
| of settling disputes and adjusting griev.
anoes.
"What we want is peace. but If it is
necessary to have war for the protection
of our national honor we will have 1t,
and there is no nation that can or will
defend it, should the occasion arise, like
the people of the United States.
Continuing. this friend of Speaker
Reed said:
''The Speaker was not opposed to the
addition of two regiments of artillery to
the force of the army, but when the sub
ject was first preached he hesttated for
some time on account of the additional
expense As SOON, as the present emer-
gency arose the Speaker suggested to sew
eral of his friends that the bill might be
taken up in the Honse on last Friday,
March a. Thisawas private bill day, and
the matter went. over until Monday.
''The Speaker hesitated about the i'm
mediate consideration of the additional
regiments of artillery, for the reason that
a plan for the complete reorganization of
the army WIS being discussed, and he
thought that reorganization bill might
be gotten through at this session, and in
1T the two regiments of artillery could
be provided for. The Speaker knew full
well that the call for the additional regi-
ments was hastenedsby the present emer-
gency, but the matter had been under
the consideration for some time, having
been recommended by the Secretary of
War. who stated that the additional men
were made necessary, owing to the large
number of Notifications and high power
guns which were being turned over to the
government.
with reference to the $50, 900, 600 ap-
preparation for Defence Mr.. Reed was
perfectly willing that it should be acted
upon at once, and so informed those with
whom he talked. He was opposed to any
discussion of it on the floor of the
House, and requested that the money be
appropriated without word being said.
He thought this would be more effective
than to have discussion concerning the
appropriation. Representative Sayers of
Texas, however, wanted short time
allotted for debate 1t WAS agreed to. He
was anxious as any to have the appropri-
alton agreed toswithout dissenting vote.
"Mr. Reed is very conservative and is
endeavoring to keep down any undue ex-
element. He thought the passage of the
resolution making the appropriation in
silence would be best, and so stated to