The San Francisco call., 1898-04-22
Call Office, Riggs House, Washington. April 21.

Three important measures were passed by the Senate this afternoon, all of which relate largely to the na- tional defense. The sundry civil bill, which has been pending for -wo weeks and which carries a large amount of money intended to be used in the strengthening of the countrys coast defenses, was finally passed. The na- val appropriation bill was immediately taken up and practically completed, al- though pending the decision of an amendment concerning the price of ar | nor plate the bill was displaced in order that the measure temporarily in- creasing the military establishment of the United States in time of war might be considered.
 After a long discussion the bill as amended by the committee was passed.
 Joint resolution was adopted giving the President power to prevent the eX- portation of coal or other war material.
 Morrill, of Vermont secured the pas sage of bill to restore to citizenship Mrs. Nellie Grant-Sartoris, daughter of the late President Grant.
 Quay of Pennsylvania introduced the ! following resolution:
 'That the President Is hereby author | ized, at his discretion and with such limitations and exceptions as shall seem to him expedient to pro- l hibit the export of coal or other material used in war from any seaport of the United States until otherwise | ordered by Congress"
 When the sundry civil bill was laid 1 before the Senate, its consideration be- l ing by agreement, under the five min- l ute rule. Money of Mississippi said he had noticed in a morning paper the | statement that the State Department l had announced there would, during the coming war, be no privateering by the United States, and that this Govern ment would abide by the treaty of l Paris. made in 1856.
 q desire to inquire" said he "wheth- CT any member of the Foreign Rela- tions Committee can inform the Senate 1 if the statement made in the neWSpa- | pers is true.
 'I have heard nothing about the mat ter" responded Davis, chairman of the 1 Foreign Relations Committee, except what I have seen in the newspapers.
 Money, continuing, said that he could not believe the President had taken such action. But" he said, it is well enough that the powers delegated to the President be clearly defined here and now. The power to issue letters of marque and reprisal belongs eXclus- ively to Congress. Neither the United States nor Spain is signatory to the 1 treaty of Paris; but in everything re- lating to the rights of neutrals, the United States has taken most advanced | ground. It was because the United States took more advanced grounds than other nations in this regard that the United States did not become a party to the Paris treaty. The naval appropriation bill was laid before the Senate. The bill. as it passed the House, carried s3S.O14,O5S. As it was reported to the Senate it carries | $46, 277, ,558.
 Pending the consideration of the na- val bill Hawley of Connecticut, chair man of the Military Affairs Commit tee. called up the resolution introduced a few days ago and reintroduced to- day relating to the exportation of coal l and other war materials. After so amending the resolution as to enable the President not only to lay but to raise the embargo the resolution was passed without division.
 The reading of the naval bill was then resumed and completed with it's amendments at 2:40 D. m. An amend ment was added by the committee pro- viding that the Secretary of the Navy l may establish depots for coal or other l fuel for warships and appropriating 1 $250 GOO for that purpose.
 l Perkins of California secured the adoption of an amendment appropriat- ing S1OO. 900 for the reconstruction of buildings destroyed recently by an earthouake at Mare Island navy yard
 Several minor amendments were adopted.
 | AS the bill was about to pass the 1 arnnor matter was brought up, and as it was likely to lead to debate. flaw l lev brought up the volunteer army bill, which was considered by unanimous consent.
 Several amendments prepared by the military committee were offered by Hawley and agreed to.
 Bacon of Georgia suggested that the bill be so amended as to provide that no man in the military service should | be compelled to enlist by the vote of | the company of which he is a member.
 Hawley explained that nobody could 1 be forced to enlist as volunteer in the service of the United States and there would be no practical difficulty in car rying into effect the provisions of the bill. He further explained that no mem 1 Der of a militia frganization could be forced to go out of the country to per form service unless he should volun- teer for such service
 Pettus of Alabama explained that the matter suggested by Bacon would be arranged by the Governors of States. | All of the militiamen would not, of course. volunteer for service. No in dividual company or regiment would be compelled to enter the service, al- though the great body of them would doubtless volunteer for the service.
 Faulkner of West Virginia said that the militia organizations throughout the country thoroughly understood the matter. as they had been in communi- cation with the War Department con- corning it. Every member of the Ma tional Guard understood that he could not be forced to enlist in the United ] States service.
 The bill, after an extended discussion, was passed.
 Consideration of the naval appropri- ation bill was then resumed In order that certain amendm -nts might be of- l fered.
 Butler proposed an amendment that the Government should pay no more than S400 a ton for armor plate and ap- propriating $6500 900 for an armor- plate factory, and $1,0O0,OOO for the man. 1 ufacture of armor plate for vessels now being constructed. The amend l ment went over.
 The Senate then, at 5:5O D. m on motion of Quay of Pennsylvania, went