The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-06
7 FOR a STRONG NAVY.
Thomas S. Martin Pays a Timely ,1l'r'y
Tribute to Whitney.

s.sa fEronl Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON D. c., Marcn sp.-.oc. ,,i
tor Martin made strong speech III .,1s
sanate tI,is afternoon in support OIL inc
1s,-a1 annropriation bill. He spoke only
aho,,t twenty minutes, and followed Sen
ntnr CLAY. Of Georgia, who entered q gen
Ea,.a1 ,ohicrtion TO tho bill, but did not spe-
fifv any particular item TO which ne was
q o,,,,osed. a. tactic which Senator Mar
lin directed attention IN the course OF
his speech. i,
X M; Wished as Il nember OF the Naval
1T c,nrn mitten OF the Senate to speak brieElS
lthe bill. and mentioned the fact, that
ptheu tho measure was before inc COM :.
,nittee there had not been Il word of. op- :,
q ,osItion manifested to 1t. Hc thought ~
b vas we'll to have all tho great appropflla-
5@tion bills thoroughly scrutinized ana dls-
cussed, SO as to have any improper Item
STRICKEN out. .stl i3 iG a 3. 5sts
.,But no senator has indicated any such
8itenl.., he said, "and the entire discus
sion with tho exception OF that IN re.
gard to the location of the naval training
school has been purely academic. NOBODY
has asked reduction of the amount ap-
uropriatod.
Abiding to tho beginning OF the crea-
ton of the new navy, Senator Martin
ascribod the honor of the title of father
Of the navy of to-day. TO William &.
Whitney, Secretary of the Navy, under
Mr.. Cleveland, and declared there was
rot man In the limits of the Union
who did not believe the money expended
IN the upbuilding OF the navy had been
expended wisely. The position of
America among the nations OF the world
demanded that she have a strong navy,
ana the senata,r said he was utterly un-
able to see how Euch could initiate
81 against the continuance Of peace.
We hear a great deal about universal
peace and arbitration OF international
difficulties, said Senator Martin. but was
anything heard OF arbitration when Eng
land was ready to 60 to war with tho
Beers? England simply took her army
and took what she wanted,
There may be such n thing as inter-
national morality in theory" declared
the senator. 'hut ] hayo seen very little
CT 1t IN practice
Senator Martin. continuing, said that
Il the time may soon come when this coul-
try would find itself III great need of a
stronger 3raYy than she has now. Two
great powers arc now graphing for SUI
4 prernacy in tho Far East, where We
have great interests, France may even
nally be drawn into the conflict as the
ally Of Russia, with whom She has 4
treaty OF alliance already. Great Brit
ain has similar treaty with Japan
and she, too. may become involved If
the struggle. It IL possible, though he
did rot think It probable, that the United
States will have trouble before the wal
ends. 1t was Of the highest Importance
that we be ready for trouble il trouble
came. In view of tho aggressive spirit
manifested by other nations, he was OPP
posed 10 any halt in the upbuilding of oul
navy.
THE American people do not begrudg'
The money spent In strengthening The
navy" concluded Senator Martin, THE,
desire the sense of security which comes
from navy strong enough TO cope Will
that OF any other power"
"a Senator Martins speech was listened
to with closest attention, lie seldom
speaks in the Senate, and never unless h
ia deeply interested or has something Il
say.
senator Bacon, who preceded Senate