Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-15

After discussion lasting five full days
the Senate yesterday passed the naval ap-
propriation bill. Practically four days were
devoted to the consideration of the armor
plate proposition. which was agreed TO
finally as reported by the committee, with
the exception that the Secretary OF the
Navy is authorized to make contracts only
for such armor as may be needed from time
to time BY the committees amendment to
the House bill the Secretary of the Navy
is authorized to procure armor of the best
quality at $44o per ton. but If he be unable
to obtain it at that price he is then au-
thorized to pay SJi5 per ton for the armor
for the battle ships Maine, Ohio and Mis-
to cost not to exceed $4.OoO.0OO. one-half
of which amount is made Immediately
available
The Secretary of the Navy Is directed to
purchase five Holland torpedo boats at
price not exceeding $4,000 each. The
Gathmann gun amendment to the House
bill was withdrawn by the committee. the
Navy Department having declared against It,
Means of Preventing Peace.
After The Stars report of the proceedings
of the Senate was closed yesterday after
noon Mr.. Daniel. adverting to the speech
delivered last Friday by Mr.. Lodge with
respect to a possible challenge of the Mon
roe doctrine by Germany. said: THAT
speech has had its echo throughout the
world. and is even now reverberating on
the continent of Europe. 1t has circulated
around the throne of Germany, and Ger
many's war lord, who always has his ear
set for rumors of war. Is even now reflect
ing upon and commenting upon the idea
that some time Germany is to have war
with the United States I do not believe 1t.
1.-The war lord of Germany is right in
stimulating the military animus of his peo-
yNIn 10 To 6ppf fu ,fp0 a fYad
of his fathers But that the war lord OF
Germany or the chief ruler of any other
nation Is projecting or preparing or build
ing up a navy with the idea of some day
testing the Monroe doctrine Is not suscepti-
BILE to the view Of common sense. We
ought always to keep in view our objective
in the construction of navy. II the Idea
Of those who want to build great navy
because England "a great empire) has
great navy. or because Germany Ia pro-
gressive nation) has an eye on the aggrega-
ton of a navy and the acquisition OF other
countries. and because Italy has a similar
view as to navy is that we shall have
navy capable of going on the seas and
meeting these combined navies. or even
the navy of Great Britain, then we are
going into a big undertaking. and one which
is not in accordance with the rationale of
this republic. This Is peaceful nation,
and l would preserve in the hearts of our
people the conservative doctrine that would
keep 1t a peaceful nation. The object
which leads me to vote for liberal appro-
priations for the navy Is simply that we
may have necessary weapons Of Defense
and not that we may have a vast navy
which shall go about the world seeking
whom it may devour.
Mr.. Hale (Me) proposed that the COM
mittee's proposition should be changed
as to make the purchase Of five of the Hol-
land boats mandatory instead OF discre-
tionary with the Secretary of the Navy.
Mr.. Stewart accepted this and withdrew
his amendment The committees PROPOSE
ton was then adopted.
Mr.. Hale. for the committee offered an
amendment providing in effect for the
moval of the naval station at Port Royal.
8. c., to Charleston. s. c. The bill author
ICES the expenditure of $412 900 at the Port
Royal station. but the amendment offered
by Mr.. Hale leaves the expenditure of this
money to the discretion of the Secretary of
the Navy. who Is authorized to examine
into the expediency of changing the station
to Charleston, S. c.: If he deems it expe-
dent. to expend the money intended for
Port Royal on the new station and dock,
100000 being made available for the pur-
chase of a site. The amendment provides
that there must be a depth of water over
the sill of the dock at the new station of
at least thirty feet at mean high tide.
Mr.. Hale, in advocating the amendment,
said the committee felt that the time now
had arrived when no more good money
ought to be sent after bad at Port Royal.
After some discussion of the amendment
Mr.. Butler On. c. proposed an amendment
tary of the Navy to some point in North
Carolina. He urged that Wilmington. NC.
was the best place in the south for the sta
ton.
Mr.. Buffers amendment was rejected and
the committee amendment was adopted.
MIR. Chandler Proposes to Cut Down.
Mr.. Chandler offered an amendment re-
ducing the number of armored cruisers pro-
vided for In the bill from three to two. and
the number of protected cruisers from three
to two.
Mr.. Chandler said his proposition simply
was to reduce the expenditure for the navy
about s10.O0O.0O0. He regarded such re-
duction as very desirable.
Il have offered this amendment" said
Mr.. Chandler. particularly to direct atten-
ton to the fact that We are expanding too
much money for our navy and too little for
the development of our merchant marine.
There is bill now before this Senate pro-
viding for the development of our merchant
marine which calls for no larger appro-
priation than is necessary for the construc-
ton Of two first-class war vessels. 1 hope
that Congress will not adjourn until it has
brought this shipping bill to a vote
II have not the slightest idea.' said Mr..
Teller, that the shipping bill will be taken
up until after the campaign, and neither
has the senator (Chandler).
I'm not a great party leader replied
Mr.. Chandler sarcastically, but there is
no need that We should rush away from
here before we pass this great bill for the
advancement of our merchant marine"
Mr.. Hale expressed the hope that a vote
might be had on the measure. and that it
would not be delayed further by the injec-
ton into the discussion of extraneous sub
jects. He believed that he and the senator
from New Hampshire would be older men
than they now were before the subsidy bill
was disposed of.
Mr.. Chandler withdrew the amendment.
Mr.. Teller. referring to the subsidy bill.
said THAT bill Is not here. The senator
(Chandler) knows that his party does not
dare to bring 1t here. 1t Is to be shunted-
to go over until the next session Of Con-
gress. Then. 1 suppose, we shall have the
subsidy bill. the bill to increase the army to
100000 men and such other measures as
cannot be considered now IN view of the
presidential campaign"
Mr.. Mcbride (Oregon) offered amend
ment providing for the appointment of
board of officers to determine the desirable
ity of constructing dry dock on the CO.
lumbia river, Oregon. 1t was agreed to.
Contracts for Armor.
Mr.. Tillman offered an amendment pro-
viding that no armor should be contracted
for in advance of its actual requirement by
vessels In construction. 1t was agreed to.
Mr.. Pettigrew declared that it was the
purpose of the dominant party in Congress
to make these great contracts for war ves-
sells and armOr in order that it might he in