Evening star., 1898-02-17
MONEY FOR FORTIFlCATIONS
Appropriations Bill Passed by the Senate
Yesterday Afternoon.
A Definite Policy to Protect the Great
Cities on the Sea Coast-House
Figures Increased.

AT the close OF the executive session
yesterday afternoon the Senate proceeded
in open session and passed the fortiflca-
tions appropriation bill.
In the course of a statement concerning
the bill Mr.. Perkins said that the COM
mittee On appropriations was unanimous
in its action in increasing the aggregate
sum appropriated by the House bill.
Every member Of the committee was in
favor of peace, but all realized that the
best way TO preserve peace was to be
prepared for war. The increases, he ex-
planned, were in line with a definite pol
Icy adopted by the government to fortify
our great sea coast cities.
Mr.. Perkins said the committee was
not unmindfui Of the condition of the treas
ury, but all thought it would be picayun-
Ism policy to cut the departments esti-
mates SO seriously as they had been cut
by the House of Representatives.
MIR. Stewart thought that the appropria-
tons should be increased, so that there
should be no me re talk about the defense
less condition of the coasts. He moved
10 increase the amount for gun and mortar
batteries from three to five millions the
Iuil amount Of the estimates of the War
Department.
Mr. Chandler On. H.) wanted an increase
nMDaIe M upon powder and projectiles which
could be Immediately available.
Mr. Stewart said that II we had trouble
WITH even the weakest power, more prop
erty would be destroyed than tn. amount
carried in the BILL
MI Hale said the appropriation had been
oouoIed over the House and brought the
appropriation up to nearly ten millions
yearly, which was thought best.
MI German opposed the increase, saving
the country could not, In view of the pres-
ent condition of the finances and for other
reasons, afford the increase. At a time of
iumors OF war from all parts of the
word congress should give all the
money that could be properly expended but
there was no necessity for going farther
especially as this country was in no appar-
ept danger of war at the present time.
Mt Stewart said We did not carry on orr
negotiations with foreign governments in
proper manner because our great citias
were not properly protected
Mr. Hawley favored liberal approprta-
tions F-
MT Lodge advocated a steady policy
looking TO the proper defense of our sea-
coast cities. The House bill was made
Guate and represented a narrow and moor
pelcy- lie did not believe in economy at
the expense Of the national defense
Mr. Ieiler opposed the proposed increase,
saying it was better to leave the amount
as nxed by the committee He agreed
with those who did not consider a war
among the early probabilities, but that the
tlIne OF peace was the time to prepare for
war. Still the indications were strong for
a general war. and while the limited Sfatea
might escape by drawing its head into its
shell like turtle, still we. as a grea. na
tlch, should be prepared for any emer-
gency.
Our Duty in Cuba.
Here Mr.. Teller made an evident a1lusion
to the coneition of affairs in Cuba, saving
1t was our plain duty when a nation was
conducting war upon our borders con-
trary to international law and the rules
fn Stay ha
that nation it must desfst, let the conse-
quences be to US what they might He did
not believe in any knight errantry or that
the country should go about with a chip
on It's shoulders. but the country must at
all times be prepared to perform the mart
of q great nation in any emergency He
had, in times of feeling said that he would
vote for no more increases of ships and
fortif1cations. but that was one of the
promises which he thought it better should
he broken than maintained. We would de-
spise a strong mau who would not defend
weak child from brute and on the
same principle great nation would he ex-
Tected to defend an abused people under
the same circumstances.
Mr.. Teller also spoke incidentally Of the
Hawaiian question, saying that a London
newspaper had said that If the islands
should be annexed We would not be able to
protect them against the superior sea
power Of Jaran, for instance. This asser-
ticn would not amount to anything If it
Y ere not true, but unfortunately it was
true, and If the United States wanted to
become anything more than a hermit ma
ton and escape war only by submitting to
insults 1t would have to prepare itself to
take part in the affairs of the world.
Hence he was in favor of a liberal allow
aEce for ships AID for coast defenses suf-
cient to maintain the dignity and the honor
of the republic. He not only wanted to
provide the ships. but he believed in send
ing them where they were needed for the
protection OF our people and occasionally
to places where their presence was de-
rnanded in the interest of the human race.
to a country, for instance, which would
starve its own people In the conduct of a
Ear which was opposed to all the accepted
teEets of modern civilization and justice.
If. ne continued, we had said to Spain
two years ago as he had then said they
ought to say to that country, You must
conduct your war according to civilized
usages," he believed that fully a quarter of
a million lives would have been saved.
These were the agencies not only of war,
but of peace, and were necessary to MAIN
tain the glory and dignity of the country.
Mr.. Stewart withdrew his amendment.
On motion of Mr.. Pettus the appropria-
tion for the construction of sea walls and
embankmentS was increased from $50 900
to $5J.OO0
Mr. Lodge offered an amendment author
iZing the Secretary of War to secure the
use of any invention of an army officer de-
sired to be used by tie Secretary Upon the
payment of a royalty to the inventor. to he
determined by the Court of Claims. The
amendment was agreed to.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Chandler
increasing the amount appropriated for
powders and projectiles for reserve sup
ply for armament and fortifications from
S630,6lS to S9JO,61S was accepted.
This completed the consideration of the
bill and 1t passed without division.
At 6:O5 o'clock the Senate adjourned.