The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-16
BIG TALK BEGINS.
Unlimited Debate on Naval APP
preparation Bill.

Washington, April 16--The house took
up the naval appropriation bill immedi-
ately after it convened. Some difficulty
arose in connection with the attempts
to secure an agreement for closing gen
eral debate. Mr.. Foss. acting chairman
of the naval committee suggested seven
hours on a side
Wheeler CKentucky) thought there
should be some general debate on ire
live topics raised in the bill when read
for amendment. This was especially
true Mr.Underwood thought, regarding
the question of armor plate. That ques-
ton had been vexing congress for sew
eraI years and was important that II
should be settled and settled right
All efforts to secure an agreement
failed and the house went into commit
tee of the ole(Ar. Payne of New York
in the chain with an indefinite period
fol. general debate ahead
Mr. Foss made a general preliminary
speech.
In opening Mr.. Foss paid a tribute to
Mr. Boutelle. (AIe-) chairman OF the
COMMITTEES. whose illness prevented him
/ from attending the sessions of the
/ house since the Christmas holidays
/ The bill, Mr.. Foss explained. carried
4 a total appropriation Of $4,000, 600. the
/ largest naval appropriation bill ever re-
/ ported to an American congress.
/ After explaining the various items in
/ the bill Mr. FosS said:
I'VE are building for peace; we are
i building it not to provoke war, but to
/ conserve international concord: We are
1 building it in order that the nations
may take warning that if American
honor is assailed, American valor viii
! defend The nation, which is armed and
ready to fight is the least likely to be
/ called upon to do so. The best peace
/ conference is a strong and efficient ma
/ w. Sea power is recognized the world
over as the strength of great nation
| We are building a navy TO maintain
| our foreign policy; to defend the Mon
/ roe doctrine and to guard the proposed
| Nicaragua canal, which I trust viii
| never be built unless the American
t navy has the right. as it has the ability.
| TO defend it in time Of war While pro-
I lection to ourselves was the watchWord
| of the past century. commerce will be
the watchword Of the coming. We viii
not only continue to build our own
/ ships of American material fashioned
by American hands, but at the same
time will build as we have been build
ing recently. ships for japan and Rus
/ STA. and in time, by reason OF the de-
/ creased supply OF iron and steel IN 9TH
| er countries. we viii be building the
navies of England. Of France, OF Ger
many and the other great naval pow
ers- Men will not embark in CONNER
ciai enterprises beyond the seas unless
they know that their own country has
the ability to protect them in every
port and harbor in the world and wher
an American merchantmen goes to for
/ efgu ports she will 90 there backed Il
necessary by an American man of wal
to see 10 it that she has the rights and
privileges of the mbst favored nations
The American navy will thus play az
important part in securing our com.
mercial supremacy"
The American battIeship would ais,
play. he said, a not inconsiderabIe par
in the civilization Of the Filipinos- Til
American school ma'axn with her spell
ing book may enlighten the mind, h
said; the American missionary witt
his Bible may soften the heart; III