Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-08
SUPREMACY IN TRADE
NOTABLE SPEECH DELIVERED BY
SENATOR LODGE.
Urges the Necessity for n strong Navy
and "a Proper Army OrgnniNation-
The philippine War.

He discussed briefly and principally In the
form OF a colloquy with Senator Bacon of
Georgia the Philippine question and the
necessity Of an army Of 100000 men. In
conclusion he drew brilliant picture of the
commercial future of the United States, de-
clarng that the trade conflict with Europe
air, ady begun could result only in the
commercial and economic supremacy of this
country over the entire world. In this in
dustrial conflict he apprehended no danger
from material contest with any nation
of the world. but he urged the necessity
for u strong and scientifically organized
and powerful navy III order that the
United States might be prepared to defend
its rights against any possible foe. Inc
speech created Il profound impression.
During the afternoon. the Senate ratified,
by ~ tn ). the committees proposition to
eliminate the House provision for the estab-
liShment of It veterinary corps in the army.
Senator Teller of Colorado gave notice of
a substitute for the entire pending measure.
continuing in full force and effect the act OF
March =, 1890. increasing the size OF the
army. for three years from July l, 1901
Discussing the general features of the
measure, Mr.. Lodge said he did not think
any American citizen honestly believed that
the liberty of the people was menaCed by
an army of 1oao0. He did not think there
was the least danger that the people of the
United States would ever approve of the
principle of great standing army, but he
did not believe an army of 100000 was. in
the circumstances. n large army. As to the
situation in the Philippines, Mr. Lodge
maintained that ''oI organized rebellion has
ceased. and the local George Washington
is in hiding" He said that the trouble in
the islands might not be put down for some
time. For three centuries there had been
more or less trouble in the Islands, and he
deemed it likely that similar difficulty
might be expected in the future. AS to the
immediate strength of the army in the Phil
fprines he thought the judgment Of the
military authorities and the military af-
fairs COMMITTEES ought to be accepted.
In short time said Mr.. Lodge. Il be-
Geve there Will be peace and order through
out the Philippine Islands" He did not
think. however that the probability of out
breaks among the Moros and the uncivilizad
tribes of the interior ever would be elim-
mated.
IF it were not for our gunboats, the Sulu
pirates even now would devastate the ship
ping in those seas
Mr.. Bacon inquired how long Mr. Lodge
thought large army might be needed in
the Philippines.
Mr.. Lodge replied that he could not say
exactly, but believed that in very short
time, comparatively, there would be greater
peace and order in the islands than they
had ever known
The Probable Length of HOstiIitier.
In the course of a sharp colloGuy with
Mr.. Bacon, Mr. Lodge said he and the
Georgia senator differed 50 hopelessy from
each other It hardly possible to give
him satisfactory replies to his questions.
After some further sparrine Mr.. Bacon
put this question to Mr.. Lodge: From
your knowledge as chairman Of the Phil
ippine committee of the conditions in the
islands. Will the army of 10000 be needed
there for a short time or for an indefinite
t!me?"
Mr.. Lodge: What is short t;me?'
Mr.. Bacon: Well. say. two years
My judgment is" replied Mr. Lodge,
-
able u reduce very largely the army in
the Philippines. That is by belief. Spain
had an army Of $4,000 men and kept very
And occupied little territory" interrupt
ed Mr. Bacon.
Yes. and occupied little territory" as
scented Mr.. Lodge He maintained. how
ever. that with a force Of -5Wn in the
philippines the United States would keep
better orl.r than ever had been known
there. With that force in the Philippines
there would h. about 5000 men left to man
the Qualifications of the country. a force
which he believed totally Inadequate. In
addition. that force would be called upon
Ia guard the Nicaragua canal which 1t was
proposed soon to begin to build. ON that
canal there would he employed 5o,OnO la
horers. They would have To he protected.
When finished the canal would have to be
guarded.
IN response 10 further questions. Mr..
Lodge said that in his opinion at the end Of
two years the force in the Philippines could
FOUR or five years the force probably could
he reduced safely IN 2o0t" men.
Does nay the senator from Massachu-
sets think" inquired Mr.. Foraker. that
the time for the reduction Of the force
would be Iessened materially If could
have the support of the other side of this
chamber in passing this army bill and
other measures
Mr. Lodge replied that Mr. Foraker had
expressed his idea exactly. He vigorously
urged the passage Of the pending bill be
4, do for ar
excellent system. the necessity for which
had been emphasized by the Spanish war.
Marching Toward Supremacy.
Il am no alarmist, and l have no fears
that We are in danger of with any
body said Mr.. Lodge, and I do not be-
lirve there is a nation on the face Of the
earth that has any desire to attack us.
But no man can tell what may happen at
airy time.
We have come in the process Of our de-
yelopmeut until We have expanded far be-
yond our own markets commercially, and
we are breaking into every market of the
world Il IS :. part OF our economic de-
vr1npmrn;. We are marching along toward
the economic supremacy Of the world. IN
my judgment. Look at Europe and COM
pare il with the United States. 1t has been
worked over for thousand years at
least IN the CEGe1vOr 10 draw out all Its re-
sources
w occupy a great position economically.
W. marching on Ia a sun greater one
You may impede it, perhaps. by legislation:
YOU may check il. but you cannot stop the
work Of the economic forces. We may
blunder here In legislation. but the Amer
.can people and the economic forces which
undarlie all are carrying US forward to the
economic suprc macy Of the world 1t is
great position, but. dazZled by its splendor.
DO not forget its perils. II carries It's dan
gers with II, and | want to see the United
States always prepared TO meet these
dangers. We have no quarrel with any
ton. and | hope shall have none. | see
none who would wish to attack us: but |
wish TO the United States so prepared
that under these new conditions she always
Will be safe by and by land.
The control of the ocean IS vital 10 US
That IS why l have always advocated a
navy, and a powerful navy must have
! wish TO our army. whether It is ten
thousand or twenty thousand or hundred
Thousand strong, organized with the ut
most skill and the utmost science, so that
81 me hour of peril ever does come we shall
have system which shall expand on the
instant. one which VIII not immedia tely
produce disaster and trouble, stumbling and
hesitation. IL did the beginning of the
Spanish war. Make Your army large or
small, as circumstances demand, but make
your organization of that army the best