The San Francisco call., 1898-02-22
SeDators Fully Aroused to the Need of the
 Time.
When Foreign War ThreuteDs 1t Is Not Meet to F Huggle Over the Expepditure of q Few
 Dollars.

NEW YORK, Feb. 21.-A Wash 4 < ington special to the Herald 4 4 says: So strong Is the opposition < 4 of many members of both 4 < houses of Congress who live 4 4 in the interior of the country 4 4 to adequate preparation for pos 4 < sible war that it is doubtful if 4 4 they will be taught a lesson by 4 4 the present emergency when the 4 4 diplomatic relations with Spain 4 4 are strained to the point of 4 4 breaking. or whether they will 4 4 vote appropriations which will 4 Y prepare the country for possible 4 4 future contingencies. f
 Representative Hilborn of California, a member of the House Naval Commit tee, said to me to-day: Though we have not enough ships what the navy most needs for an emergency such as exists at present is drydocks and am munition. The ships we have cannot fight without powder and projectiles and if they should be disabled they cannot be repaired without drydocks.
 
 should not have been neglected so long. Former Congresses should have provid- ed fer them"
 Another man with whom I talked who fully appreciates the responsibili- ty of Congress for the present condition of the navy and coast defenses is Rep resentative Cousins of Iowa, one of the most conservative members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. who said:
 T have favored adequate appropria tions for the army and navy. and had proper steps been taken years ago we would be all right. The time when steps ought to have been taken was twelve years or so ago, when we had in the treasury a cash balance of s400 100000 Had this or half of it been iu- diciously spent for national defense there would have been no difficulty in meeting any emergency that might arise"
 That the responsibility of Congress for national defense is fully appreciat- ed by leading Senators is shown by these talks I had with a number of them to-day.
 Senator Foraker of Ohio-It seems to me that nothing but fifty tons of dyna- mite is able to move this country: I believe we are criminally negligent in not providing most liberally for strengthening our coast defenses and building more ships for our navy. Ial- ways advocated liberal appropriations for the army, navy and coast defense before came to Congress, and I have continued to do so at every opportunity. l do not know that my efforts in that direction will do any good if the policy Of the administration is to cut down appropriations Fl along the line. I am one of those who believe that the public money cannot be better expended than In the protection of our people from foreign assault.
 Senator Murphy of New York, mem Der of the Committee on Appropria- tions-I am in favor of the most liberal expenditures for the increase of our navy and improving the efficiency of our army and seacoast defenses. Our committee without hesitation voted to double the amount for Qualifications, and I would cheerfully double the naval appropriation bill if necessary and provide for the building of several additional ships if the House wishes to do so. l hope the war scare which is now on will pass away, but I trust nothing will prevent Congress making ample provision for the protection of our country against the threatened at tack of foreign power.
 Senator Hanna of Ohio-I am in favor Of liberal appropriations for the army and navy, for believe in the old adage In time of peace prepare for war" I am not member of the Committee on Appropriations, but, as one of the committee on naval affairs I will will ingly support any reasonable proposi- tion calculated to increase the efficiency of our navy. We have not yet consid- cred the naval appropriation bill, but from the present trend of things it does not seem to be in the direction of con struction of more battle-ships The Secretary of the Navy tells me that we have several new ships on the stocks, and he only recommends one additional ship. However, I believe the country will ratify any reasonable expenditure we may choose to make in the interest of preservation.
 Senator Vest of Missouri-Under ex- isting conditions l am in favor of the most liberal expenditure for fortiffca- tions, seacoast defense, the army and navy. I do not believe it Is wise to put so much money into great battle-ships My idea is that the money can be bet ter expended in the construction of fast cruisers to be used in destroying the enemy's commerce. and monitors and torpedo-boats for the protection of our harbors. With strong Notifications and monitors and torpedo-boats great battle-ships are, to my mind, unneces- sary. As commerce destroyers we could employ cruisers to great adYantage