The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-15
ArmOr Plate for the BattIeships
proyided...AlsO Torpedo Boats.
UPHOLD MONROE DOCTRINE
Germany Said TO BE colOnlrlng South and
ceniral America The State Department
Makes Inquiries Through Our Con.
snls rs to The Situation.

WASHINGTON. May li-Afier a dis
cusslon lasting Ave full days. the senate
today passed the naval appropriation
bill. Practically four days were de-
voted 10 the consideration Of the armor
plate proposition. which wns agreed 20
finally as reported from the commit
tee. with the exception that the Sec
rctary OF the navy is authorized 20
make contracts only for such armor
as may be needed from time 20 time.
The secretary OF the navy Is author
ized TO procure armor OF the best quail
ity at Siis per ton, but. II he be un-
able 70 obtain Il at that price he Is
then authorized TO pay t5i5 per ton
for armor Tor the battlc-shlps Maine.
Ohio aud Missouri ana proceed 10 erect
an armor factory 20 cost not exceeding
100000. one half OF which amount
IL made Immediately available.
| The committees proposition was car
rlcd by vote Of 20 to ~, The secretary
OF the navy II also directed 10 pur-
chase Ave Holland torpedo. boats al o.
price not exceeding $4,000 each.
Just before adjournment. Nelson, OF
Minnesota. called up the free homes
| bill and Il Was passed without word
OF debate.
| A concurrent resolution was adopted
| directing the secretary OF war TO ap-
point a board % officers OF the engi-
neer corps, TO prepare plans for the
Improvement OF Snake river In Wash
ingtOn and Idaho.
A bill Tor the establishment OF a
lighthouse and fog signal at slip Point,
Washington, at cost OF 0l2,5Q0. was
passed,
A concurrent resolution was adopted
for survey OF the outlet OF Flathead
lake. Montana, with a view OF keeping
the lake full Mcbride, OF Oregon. Sc
cured an amendment providing for the
appointment of n board OF officers 70
determine the dcsirability OF construct
ing a dry-dock on the Columbia river
IN Oregon.
The house today passed the general
deficiency appropriation bill and the
passage OF the military academy bill,
the last of the supply bills. win fol-
low tomorrow. The deficiency bill
carries s9,sS9,U2l.
In View uf the significant references
10 the enforcement OF the Monroe doe
trlne by Secretary Root. Senator Lodge
and other prominent men. the state
department has taken steps to secure
data on the subject.
The burden N these speeches has
been the startling increase OF German
colonies Ia South and Central America,
which have been regarded as menacing
the Monroe doctrine. IL has also been
asserted that these German colonists
maintain their home customs In q new
land: deal almost exclusively with
Germany use only the German Ian
guage; have almost autonomous gov
ernments within the limits OF Amarl-
can republics and are, In fact, little
Gernanys wherever located.
The state department has addressed
Instructions to every minister and con-
SUI IN South and Central America to
Inform the department on all points
70 which reference has been made. OF
course. Germany is not referred 20 by
name, for such direction might natur-
ally give umbrago To the German gov
ernment, The circular applies 20 colo
nlsts OF all nationalities, though Il is
OF course expected that consuls, In COM
piling their reports, win diiferentiate
colonists.