Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-01-18

cllssiun WAS precipitated IN the senate
yesterday by some remarks submitted
by Mr. Hale of Maine, in respect To bills
relating to the formation Of naval re-
serve which he introduced. He took
strong ground against the organization
of II naval reserve.
Experience had shown. he said. that
at the beginning of war plenty of
young men were ready to enlist in the
navy and enter the ranks OF naval mil
ta, but at The conclusion of HE war he
interest in the OrganiZat ions ceased and
it WAS found difficult to maintain them.
He was of the opinion that the United
States was not likely, as II nation, to
take much interest in the militia forces
either of the land or of the sea. In time
Of stress he was certain that the corn-
try would be obliged to depend upon vol
unlcers, called out in an emergency, or
upon some form of compulsory ser
vice. England. he said, had ''lrnrned
this lesson from her smallest and
wickedcst war"
If" he said, I'VE are to become
great war power. we will have to learn
the lesson other nations have lrlrucd.
Every one of the nations of the world
that stands snarling ut anothc- depends,
to some extent. upon some sort Of COM
pulsory military service
Mr.. Hale declared that England was
about to resort to cOnscrirtion to raise
men to fight "a band of frcplncn
thousands of miles away" 1t has been
proved. he said that naval 'liltia was
not Il success. or course it could be
maintained in "lingering. half-hearted
manner" but it. never really am, united
to much.
In conclusion he said: "if w" lave
determined that We are TO become Il
great war power. witla great army and
Il great navy. no system of volunteering
will answer the purpose
In response to an inquiry from Mr..
llawley Mr.. dale said he did not sup
pose that the United States ever would
dispense absolutely with The militia.
1t would continue to be maintained in
hnlf-hearted way. In time Of war he
did not think it would be worth reckon
ing with. What he desired to impress
upon the senate and upon tllr country
wnS that the naval reserve was aEd al
ways would he weak and mcager. 1t is
.ditiirult. even now. said he. to secure
men enough to man the ships of the
United States navy and it is Impossible
to maintain the interest in the naval re-
serve.
Several senators were ,lra WIN into the
debate in defense of the militia forces of
the various states. Mr.. Hale finally dis
any intention to reflect on the
national guard.
Mr.. lioar said it was manifest that in
every warike emergency the country
must be protected by Il trained II i.;tia
or by regular army. or by both. 1t
had been proved that the United States
ought to have good. regular army of
moderate strength, supplemented I,y
strong militia force.
Mr iioar. referring to the aiming of
sailors in civil life. said there, wnS an
other fact not generally known. Our
in the war of The rrvoll-
tion had been won at SEA. England
could have continued for n hundred
years if necessary. the land AR of the
revolution, because she was able 10 nav
the cost. 1t was not the French aIli-
nnce, but the rate of maritime Insurance
which compelled the unwilling nor arch
to come 10 peace. 1t was New Eng
land and other sailors of the maritime
states who won the battle. The rate of
insurance on English commercial ships
'hrn was 2S percent. in The Mr,llrrra-
mean. 1t was the ship owners nf Bristol
who won the battle by privaterrs and
not the navy.
Mr. Tillman persisted that Mr.. IToar
should give some of the credit of achcv-
Ing Independence to other colonies than
New England. amid laughter and ap-
plause, he declared: There's glory
enough to go round. as our great adj
miral in command at the battle of San.
Iiago said"