The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-16
Hale Opposes Organization Of
a Naval Reserve
ATTACKS THE VOLUNTEERS
Says They Are Not Much Use In Time
of War-Half Dozen Senators
Come to the Defense OF
Milltiamen.

Washington. January ia spirited dis
cussion was precipitated in the Senate to-
day by some remarks submitted by Mr..
Hale, Maine. in respect to bills relating
TO the formation of a naval reserve which
he introduced.
He took strong ground against the
organization of a naval reserve his COM
ments being construed by some of the
senators into reflection upon volunteer
soldiers of the land and naval militia.
Half dozen senators were on their feet
In an instant to defend the volunteers
and the national guard of the various
states and the debate took so wide a
range that senators went back in their
reference to the days of revolutionary
war to seel illustrations for their argu-
ments,
While action was possible at this
time, 1t is likely that the discussion upon
the measure should they be reported will
be very lively
A concurrent resolution was adopted
providing for the printing of $500 copies
of the proceedings of the Schley court of
inquiry.
Mr.. Hale, Maine, in respect to the value
to the country of a militia force introduce
ed some bills relating to the organization
and maintenance of naval reserve and
In doing so declared that the reliance
placed some people upon the naval re-
serve never would be realized Expert
ence had shown he said that at the
beginning of a war plenty of young men
We're ready to enlist in the navy and
enter the ranks of naval militia, but at
the conclusion of the war the interest
in the organizations ceased and it was
found difficult to maintain them.
4. Suggests Compulsory Service.
In time of stress. he was certain that
the country would be obliged to depend
upon volunteers, called out in an emer-
gency, or upon some form of compulsory
service. England, he-aats}sslsFkLss1earn
this lesson from her smallest and wick
: edest war.
IT., he said, I'VE are to become great
war power, we will have to learn the les
son others have learned. Every one of
the nations of the world that stands
snarling at another depends to some ex-
tent upon some part of compulsory mill
tary service"
Mr.. Hale declared that England was
about to resort to conscription to raise
men to fight "a band of free men thou
sands of miles away and it had been
proved" he said. that naval militia was
not success
"If we have determined" he concluded.
that we are to become a great war pow
er. with a great army and a great navy.
no system of volunteering will answer the
purpose
Hawley, Mr.. Hale said he did not sup
pose that the United States ever would
dispense absolutely with the militia. 1t
would be continued In a half-hearted
way. In time of war he did not think it
would be worth reckoning with
Mr.. Spooner pointed out that the dis
play made by the National Guard of
various states on Pennsylvania avenue in
Washington on the occasion of an in
augural parade was a sufficient evidence
of the practicability of the militia.
Yes, responded Mr.. Hale, but the
loss of life on Pennsylvania avenue is
never serious.
Senators Defend Militia.
Several Senators, among them Mr..
Mason, Illinois; Mr.. Teller, Colorado Mr..
Hoar. Massachusetts,. and Mr.. Bacon,
Georgia. were drawn into the debate in
defense of the militia forces of the va
rious states, Mr.. Hale finally disclaiming
any intention to reflect on the National
Guard.
Mr.. Hoar, referring to the training of
dence in the war of the revolution had
been won at sea. England could have
continued for a hundred years If neces-
Bary the land war of the revolution, be-
cause she was able to pay the cost. 1t
was not the French alliance but the
rate of maritime insurance which COM
pelled the unwilling monarch to come to
peace. 1t was the ship owners of Bris-
tol who won the battle by privateers and
not the navy.
After Mr. Bacon had protested that il
was the valor of our soldiers and sailors
that enabled the colonies to gain their
independence. and not the rates of in
Burance on English ships. Mr.. Tillman
insisted that Mr.. Hoar should give some
OF the credit of achieving independence to
other colonies than New England. Amid
laughter and applause he declared
There's glory enough to go round, as
our great admiral in command at the bat
tile of Santiago said
Hoar Introduces Resolution.
At the conclusion of the discussion
Mr.. Hoar introduced the following reso-
luton:
"That the President If in his Judgment
It be not Incompatible with the public
interest. be requested to inform the Sen
ate whether the department of state has
any official information whether the Brit
ish government exact duties on goods in
tended for prisoners of war in Bermuda
in violation of Article 16 of the Conven-
tion adopted at the Hague which is as
follows:
Gifts and relief in kind for prisoners
Of war shall be admitted frSl of all duties
OF entry and others, as wcil as of pay
ments for carriage by the government
railroads.
In explanation OF this resolution Mr..
Hoar said that some charitable organiza-
Ions In this country had sent supplies and
comforts to Beer prisoners detained in
Bermuda. Upon these supplies duties
had been ted In contravention of
the Hague treaty.
The resolution was adopted and at
Ills p. M the Senate went into executive
session.
bill was passed appropriating S15O-
900 for enlarging the public building at
Dallas. Tex.
Mr.. Tillman then announced the death
OF j. w 5tokes. formerly a representa-
tive In Congress from South Carolina and
as a mark of respect the Senate, at 1:50
p. m. adjourned