The age-herald., 1901-01-25
CANNON SOUNDS NOTE OF WARNING Says Should be Limit to h. crease of Navy THE APPROPRIATION BILL UP Completed With the Exception of
 One Paragraph STRONG OPPOSITION IS MANIFEST Effort to Show That Democrats Deserv- ed Credit for Strong Navy Caused
 Merriment Dawes Commits
 sion Attacked in Senate.
STRONG OPPOSITION IS MANIFEST

Washington, January 24.-The House to- day considered the naval appropriation bill and completed it with the exception of one paragraph. The item for increase of the navy bill remain as reported namely, two batteships and two cruisers Some opposi- ton was manifested to any increase of the navy and Mir Cannon of Illinois sound- ed a note of warning as to the size of our annual appropriations and added that with the present appropriation 1920, 00,00O would have been spent on our new navy and we should stop.
 Speaking to a proforma amendment MT. w. A. Smith, of Michigan, brought up at the opening of today's session the ques- tion of the abrogation of the treaty of 1877 prohibiting the maintenance of war vessels upon the great lakes. MT. Smith said the treaty was an inhibition upon the ship building and commercial interests of the lake against which he protested He desired to the ship yards of the great lakes participate in the building of war ships.
 MT. Mann of Illinois opposed the abroga- tion of the treaty. If we built warships on the lakes England must have a similar privilege. She could build great ships there which would threaten the cities on the American side and the whole commerce of the lakes. The treaty, he argued, was ab- solutey essential to the safety of cities of the lakes in case of war with Great Britain.
 MT. Boutelle of Illinois was in favor of modification of the treaty in the interest of the naval reserve so as to permit the main- tenance of one small armed vessel on the upper lakes and one on thelower.
 The treaty also should be modified, he argued, to permit both parties to the compact to build warshps of any class to be taken unarmed to tide water.
 MT. Foss, in charge of the bill, said the question of a modification of the treaty of 1877 was discussed by the government com mission few years ago. It was matter for the State Department, not the naval committee, to consider.
 Republicans Had a Laugh.
 MT Wheeler, Democrat, of Kentucky, con- tended that the Democratic party had al- ways been in favor of a strong navy.
 ''Is the gentleman aware" interposed MT. Foss that William J. Bryan, on the floor of this House in 1890, opposed the further construction of ships?"
 william Jennings Bryan," retorted MT. V crat but he is not the Democratic party Republican laughter and cries of We thought he was.
 That statement excites merriment on the Republican side of the House." continued MT Wheeler because men who recognize as their party shibboleth and handspring of action the will of one man, Marcus Aure- Illus Hanna, cannot understand how Demo- crats can recognize a great and distin- guished citizen and leader and at the same ..rs4 h dtfn n
 MT Rixey Democrat of Virginia, offered an amendment to strike out the entire pro- vision for the increase of the navy.
 MT Dayton, of West Virginia, vigorous ly opposed the amendment, contending that if the government abandoned the naval pro- gramme 1t would disappoint the generous sentiment manifested by the country to- ward the building up of the navy. ' MT Cannon, chairman of the appropria- tons committee, said he was for a sufficient navy. But when it was sufficient he was in favor of stopping. Since 1883, when the new navy began to be built, $227 900 had been appropriated for ships dncluding the provision in the bilD but not including $S3,- 100000 still due on contracts. To MT. Wheeler who interrupted him to inquire to whom the credit for the inauguration or the new navy was due, MT. Cannon replied rather impatently that the country at large did not care three hurrahs In not place. to whom the credit belonged It was interested in results. Daughter and applause)
 Favored a Limit.
 Mir Cannon said he did not think Con- gress had appropriated too much for tha navy, but he did not think the United States needed the largest navy in the world. We would not be called upon to fight England. Her American possessions along our northern border constituted bond of peace But we needed a strong navy. We had the Philippines and we were going to keep them. We could not get rid of them if we desired to. But we did not want a larger navy than was need- ed and after the ships now authorized and to be authorized by this bill had been com- pleted he thought the time to stop would have arrived
 with $75S, 100000 of appropriations, includ- ing provision. for the sinking fund now in sight. for the coming fiscal year." said he. 1T, conclusion, and as we are to reduce taxation, we should inquire diligently Into all these matters and not go beyond that which Is necessary for the protection, glory and honor of the country" (Applause).
 Mr. Foss, chairman of the naval commit tee, defended the action of the committee. The naval bureau chiefs had estimated for thirty-two vessels and the Secretary of tho Navy for eleven vessels He submitted that the action of the committee recommending ~>->>--~~----------------- -----~-------->--------~~~>