Evening star., 1902-01-15

that naval militia was not a success. OF
course. it could be maintained in "a linger-
ing, halt-hearted manner but it never
really amount ed to much.
In conclusion he said: III we have de-
termined that we are to become great war
power with great army and great navy,
no system of volunteering will answer the
purpose"
In response to an inquiry from Mr.. Haw-
ley, Mr.. Hale said he did not suppose that
the United States ever would dispense alb
solutely with the militia, but that it would
continue to be maintained in half-hearted
way. In time of war, he did not think it
would be worth reckoning with.
Mr.. Spooner pointed out that the display
made by the National Guard of various
states on Pennsylvania avenue in Wash
ington on the occasion of an inaugural pa
rade was a sufficient evidence of the prac-
ticability of the militia.
Yes" responded Mr.. Hale. but the loss
OF life on Pennsylvania avenue never is
serious"
Continuing he said that he desired to
impress upon the Senate and upon the
country that the naval reserve was and
always would be weak and meager.
1t is difficult even now to secure men
enough to man the ships of the United
States navy. he said. and 1t is impossible
TO maintain the interest in the naval re-
serve.
Several senators. among them Mr.. Mason
Qllo. Mr.. Teller (COl.), Mr.. HOar (Mass)
and Mr.. Bacon (Ga-). were drawn into the
the various states. Mr. Hale finally dis
claiming any intention to reflect upon the
National Guard.
In the course of the debate Mr. Tillman
spoke of the achievements of the South
Carolina troops in the revolutionary war,
and said that the battles fought in that
state were more important than those
fought in Senator Hoar's state. I'VE don't
want Massachusetts to bag all the glory
he said. for as our illustriOus Admiral
Schley has said Of a later triumph of our
arms. there is glory enough for all -
MIR. Hoar said that while the naval militia
was yet in an experimental stage 1t was
manifest that in every warlike emergency
the country must be protected by trained
militia or by a regular army or both. 1t
had been proved that the United States
ought to have good. regular army of
moderate strength, supplemented by a
strong militia force.
Duty on Gifts to Beers.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Mr..
Hoar introduced the following resolution:
That the President, if in his Judgment 1t
be not incompatible with the public inter-
est. be requested to inform the Senate
whether-the Department of State has any
official Information whether the British
government exact duties on goods intended
for prisoners of war in Bermuda in viola
tion of article IS of the convention adopted
at The Hague, which is follows: Gifts
and relief in kind for prisoners of war shall
be admitted free of all duties of entry and
others as well as of payments for carriage
by the government railways.
In explanation of his resolution Mr.. Hear
said that some charitable organizations in
this country had sent supplies and comforts
to Boer prisoners detained in Bermuda
Upon these supplies duties had been collect
ed in cOntraventiOn of The Hague treaty.
He desired by the resolution merely TO AS
certain whether the State Department lad
been informed of the situation.
The resolution was adopted without fur
ther comment.
In Executive Session.
Then. at 1:15. the Senate. on motion of
Mr. Hale. went into executive session.
When the Senate resumed legislative bust
ness, after an executive session of twenty
minutes, bills were passed making the fol-
lowing appropriations foE public buildings:
At Nashua n. H. S1o0,oo0; Huntington, W.
Va, Sl20D0: Superior. Wis. $500, ,UtD; for
charging the public buildings at Dallas.
Tex. and al Portland, Ore. S1Joo0O and
$4,000. respectively.
Mr. Tillman then announced the death of
J. William Stokes. formerly a representa-
tive in Congress from South Carolina, and
after the adoption of the usual resolutions
OF regret the Senate, a further mark of
respect. at 1:50 p. m. adjourned.