Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-19
Senator <Hawley Discusses Proposed
; Legislation.
FAV0RS AN ARMY OF 100000 MEN
Provision for a Fortified Nicara-
.a
qua Canal.
FOR SHIPPING

| man OF the Senate committee on military
aHairs, said to Star reporter today that
as soon as Secretary Root returns to
Washington, from his Cuban trip the work
OF formulating bill to provide for a re-
organization of the army will proceed
without delay
L understand that Mr.. Root will return
week from today" said Senator Hawley,
and as soon as he arrives we will be able
to learn what the plans and ideas of the
department are and to frame a bill that
Will meet all requirements. Just what the
details of the bill will be when agreed upon
In the committee and reported to the SEN
ate is a matter of speculation. The War
Department officials will, of course have
ideas on the subject which will guide us in
getting the bill into presentable shape
Il do not favor the proposition of Cen
eral Miles to establish an army upon pro
rata basis. He thinks that the country
should have one soldier for every 1000 in
nap1tantS, bat in my judgment that idea
Is not at all practicable. | do not believe
1t would be a judicious idea to establish
an arbitrary ratio between the strength of
the army and the population. The whole
SUBJECT should be based upon the laws of
demand and the size of the army establish
ment should depend largely upon the mill
tary needs of the country. According to
General Miles plan we would have an
army of 10000 men, the population of The
country at the present time being in round
numbers, 78.OD0.OOO. 1t can be readily seen
that his idea fails at once to come up to
requirements.
Favors an Army of 100000.
An army of 10000 men is not of suff1-
cient strength to meet the demands of the
country In view of the fact that hostilities
IN the Philippines are continuing and op-
erations there are to be pushed to a deci-
S1Ve conclusion. In mi
not less than 100000, and perhaps more.
should be maintained at the present time
In the near future, of course, there NAV be
cause Tor reduction, but this number at
least ought to be agreed upon at this time
Again, l think a measure might be passed
empowering the President to use his dis
cretlon to, great extent in determining
the exact strength Of the army, not, of
course, to exceed the maximum fixed bv
congress. He is good judge of Just what
the military needs of the nation are, and
can view the situation from a standpoint
that enables him to figure out closely just
what NUMBER OF men is required. Under con-
ditions such as those existing at the pres
ent, for INSTANCE, the President could re-
crult an army of whatever proportions he
deemed necessary to handle the Filipjno in
surrect1on, and upon the conclusion of that
work he could reduce the number of troops
| IN proportion TO existing needs. This, l
think would be a most excellent solution
of the whole problem. l do not believe
| that the military affairs committee will
agree to any plan looking to the establish
ment of an army upon a pro rata basis.
That idea" is not at all logical.
The Nicaraguan Canal.
I'm my opinion" continued Senator Haw-
ley Congress will take some action upon
the bill brovidtng for the construction of
| the NicaTa guam canal 1 was disappointed
when 12learned: that it would be impossible
for the taembArs of the Nicaraguan canal
fnvn roif "a ~
| 70 do, as sincerely hope to see this propo-
| sition brought to a favorable conclusion
| The Senate, I think, will dispose of the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty now pending. This
| will make room for the passage of the
| canal bill proper. 1 am in favor of forti-
| flying this waterway in case the United
! States decides to construct it. 1t is abso-
| lutely necessary that we maintain forts
along the line of the canal 1t is not neces-
| sary to have formidable Notifications there
| but we all understand the fckleness and
uncertainties pertaining to the administra-
| ton Of the South American republics, and
I there is no telling just what protection
might be NECESSARY at times. No country
| can reasonably object to that plan. Mill
tary stations provided for along the line
| could be placed solely for defensive pur-
| poses and no nation on earth could doubt
| our good faith and Sincerity 1t would be
! the only safe plan.
Southern Representation.
LAS to the problem of restricted southern
representation in Congress, want to say
that this is no time for the precipitation of
| such an important matter. We will not
| have the time or opportunity to discuss this
| subject. 1t must come before us in long
session of Congress. 1t would lead to vio-
| lent and also endless debate. In the Sen
ate it would be difficult to put stop to
such a discussion.
This is matter that can wait 1 be-
lieve, however, that the Constitution con-
ony,tnfa 6 nf or cinflo
representation under certain circumstances
| If southern or any other states do not al
| low certain classes of people to vote it is
only logical that the nation should call
upon them for "a reduction in their repre-
sentation. 1t would only be just. There
are thousands of citizens either coerced or
| not allowed to vote, who are absolutely
f! without representation in the House and
Senate. Having cast no vote they can. OF
| course, lay no claim to having representa-
| ton there. 1t would be only natural there
| FORE for the remainder of the country to
| step in and reduce the number of represen-
| tatives from sections where such conditions
| prevail
Ship Subsidy Bill.
81 believe that the passage of the ship
| subsidy bill would be of almost incalculable
| benefit" concluded General Hawley. 1.-THE
| passage of this measure would enable the
American people to get possession of an
enormous sum Of money that is being paid
| to foreign vessel owners for the transporta-
| ton of the bulk of our exports. There is
| every reason why should do everything
| within our power 10 get hold of the money
| which is going into foreign merchantmen $
! hands each year. According to figures
| which have been prepared by authorities
| who have made most careful study of the
| subject about 81 per cent of our export
| trade is carried on foreign vessels. 1t is
| estimated by experts that this involves an
| annual payment of from $175.O0O,O00 to
| 5000. Gao. O00s, AHpttis money goes to the for
| eign ship ok.nersi During the past thirty
| five years,u accoSiing to the best calcula-
| tions. $4,000 100000 have been paid by the
| American beople'to foreign merchantmen,
| and the NATIONAL Association of Manufac-
! turers estimatesifhat under present condi-
| tions s., GOO 100000 will be paid to foreign
! ship owners during the next quarter of
| century unless something is done to encour-
age the construction and maintenance of
American trading vessels. This Is a re-
| markable showing, and 1t seems extraordi-
nary that sairh aIvast sum of money should
! be paid anrfualyste foreigners when with
| little encouragement any number of Ameri-
| can-made and manned vessels would spring
| up to carry this great trade. 1t Is a dis
agreeable cunte1nplat ton to think that for
| eigners aresgetting. all this money when it
| might be ttfnedydnto the pockets of our
own peopleI hdpe that the subsidy bill in
1 (N0va