The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-13
LINES VERY SHARPLY DRAWN.
Republican Members Of Military Committee
Wish 10 Press Measure.
APPROPRIATION BILLS IN HOUSE
viii Keep Thai Body susy Until Adjournment
ARM IN. Navy Bis viii Call Forth Discus
sion as 10 Cur ioIsIgn Policy.

Washington. Feb. 13.-The promised
effort on the part of the committee on
military affairs to get immediate con-
sideration OF the army reorganization
bill probably will be the most important
feature of the proceedings of the senate
during the present week
Lines are divided very sharply onShs
bin and the contest over its consdera-
ton will unquestionably be both fierce
and stubborn The Republican members
OF the committee manifest a strong de-
termination 10 press the bill regardless
OF all other ~ easures, and their first ef-
fort viii be TO secure consent from the
committee on appropriations to set the
appropriation bills aside until the army
reorganization bill can be disposed Of.
They argue that it Is useless 10 proceed
with the Dpt ropriations. especially those
for the arr until they know how large
the army II be. They also urge that
there is Ia ~eater necessity for legs
lation iucr o .ng tLo size of the army
than for tn, al rroPriation OF money 10
meet the gov rnm-nts expenditures.
Sad Senator Wgi en- Of the military
"The pr ont iiropriations hold good
until the fast OF next July, while the
volunteer amy o.l necessarily be dis
banded as soon as the peace treaty is
signed by tie Spanish authorities. We
will " be In ridiculous plight. with
all o rev 7, as sions on our hands and
our forces reduced go such an extent that
I we will not be able TO even man our guns
frafa fp,a ggq
+ of the army. 1t Is absurd TO say that any
! temporary cNI dent would answer the
/ purpose. You cannot find men to enlist
I'm the regular army at $l3 month un-
less they are sure OF steady employ
/ ment"
The Democrats. not only on the mill
tnry commit ee but throughout the SEN
ate. will resist any effort to get the army
bill through They say however, they
will not try TO prevent consideration OF
the bill. Speaking on this point Senator
Jones Of Arkansas said
IF the Republicans want to take the
responsibility of nlibustering against
the appropriation bills and of throwing
them over to another session Of congress,
I. for one am willing that they should
do So"
! continuing, ne Sd1u tndl nt ultl not bc-
lieve that the army bill could be passed
IL IL should receive the exclusive atten-
ton OF the senate for the remainder Of
the session. "As I look at It, he said,
"if the program for taking up the army
bill TO the exclusion Of the appropria-
tion bills is pursued both the army Dill
and appropriation bills will have TO fail.
I do not believe the senate Will agree TO
the passage Of the army bill this session
80 far as am informed. We on this side
are willing to grant temporary in
crease OF the army but do not believe
many Democrats would consent to the
permanent increase of the standing
army"
1t is not absolutely decided that the
committee on appropriations would vol
unfairly retire In the interest of the army
bill. They may. however, step aside FOR
n. few days i'm order To give the promoters
of the military measure an opportunity
10 test the temper of its opponents
There are az present Only two appropria'
ton bills before the senate so that the
time for the experiment Is not unpropi-
tious. These are the agricultural and mill
tarv academy bills. and both can be dis
posed % iu very short order unless there
should be rxtranyous opposition to them
This Is not to hc expected. except as al
expedient to stand OIL the army bill
-
Much o. the proceedings OF the last TIVE
days OF last week was due to the eN
pectatlon or The ~ort OF some that there
would he c,rcrti"rtl pressure 10 set M
the army b'u q. 4 the proceedings wer
! intended 10 dl 90 tho friends OF tina
e mcasur, what th.y might expect I'm cas-
= they should 40 capt 20 put their pro
= gram into cvna.tior. Other opportuni
ties will douht'cse 200 seized In the futur
For the sarlo purpose as long as the arm
bill threatens.
Thearmy hlll has not yet been reporte
10 the senate. but there viii be an all da
session ~ The committee on military ar
faiss with thc hope VI concluding th
corsidoratlc., 80 the bin In committe