Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-04
NAVAL BILL IN SENATE
WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS COW
Erred IN DISCUSSION.
Policy of the United States in Philip
pines and the Russo-Japanese
War Considered.

For almost four hours yesterday the SEN
ate engaged in discussion which. while
technically on the naval appropriation bill,
covered a wide range of subjects. including
the policy of the United States in the Phil
ippines and the Russo-Japanese war. The
principal participants were Messrs. Hale,
Bacon, Lodge, Depew, Money and Patter-
son.
Mr.. Lodge. Mr.. Depew and Mr.. Perkins
defended the naval officers, whose plan for
increasing the navy had been criticised by
Mr.. Hale as extravagant. Mr.. Lodge de-
clared a large navy essential to the main
tenance Of peace. Mr.. Money said that he
did not consider the total appropriation of
$97 COG. 600 carried by the bill as excessive
under our present policy in the orient. He.
however, criticised that policy, as did other
democratic speakers. The consideration OF
the naval bill was not completed when the
Senate adjourned at SIG O'Clock.
Demand for Larger Ships.
Replying to questions Mr.. Hale said that
Japan was the smallest of the naval pow
ers with the exception of Austria. but had
an advantage in being only few hundred
miles from the farthest naval operations in
which she might become involved.
In our navy" said Mr.. Hale. there is
talk OF putting many of our vessels such
as the Oregon. Indiana and others of the
same class on the retired list"
Il hope they won't retire the Oregon"
said Mr.. Stewart.
We'll, they ought not to-" said Mr.. Hale,
but she hasn't the stateroom facilities that
meet the fancy of naval officers. She has
the same number of thirteen-inch guns and
the same fighting capacity. Nothing suits
the navy officers except the largest battle
ships. There is not on the seas single
i6,Uu-ton battle ship. yet we are demand
ing them"
"Are there any building? asked Mr.. Al
lison.
Il believe there are. but only few of
them," MI Hale answered.
He expressed the opinion that the present
war In the orient MOULD develop the fact
that other vessels are more valuable than
large battle ships. but admitted that no
aehnte conclusions could be drawn until
the smoke lifted IL -
He said in reply to Mr.. Carmack that he
had no censure for the officers of the Amer
lean navy, but the, naval officer Is the ma
val onneer pure and simple" he said "and
the American navy bounds his complete
horizon. To him the navy is everything and
the naval board has run too much in the
oirecuon or enormous ships" He had tried
iast year TO get smaller vessels and more
Oh them, but could not get the votes .'In
some respects" he yentson. s.the naval on
GERS are like the farmer who wants to raise
the biggest pumpkint-they don't want Great
Diltain OF germany to excel the United
states The naval board program contem
plates forty-eight battle ships and "a ar
mored cruisers. Mr.. Hale said, and he add
ed that when that stage was reached an
appropriation OF sao0,0O0000 year would
pe necessary for the navy. He Thought II
probable that the appropriation REQUIRED
next year would be $l20,OOOO0O II. how
ever, the scale should be kept down to the
present rate OF increase the appropriation
Wo9iu NOT Dc increased. I'VE should, he
sala. get along with hundred millions a
Naval Officers Defended.
MIR. PERKINS defended the officers of the
navy saying that they were entitled to
great credit.
mar. naie admitted that the American on
Ger was man of merit. but Congress had
its responsibilities. and had right, he con-
tended. to know where the money was
going. 7 am. he said. mot to be deferred