Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-23
OPPOSED BY BURTON
SEES NO NEED FOR GREAT NAVAL
EXPENDITURES.
-..I
Would Maintain the Navy, but Would
Not Increase It as the Appro-
priation Bill Proposes.

in the House of Representatives yester-
day afternoon the debate on the naval
appropriation bill was enlivened by a
speech in opposition 10 the measure made
by Representative Burton of Ohio, one of
the prominent republican, leaders of the
| body
AS Mr.. Burton proceeded he received the
| attention of both sides of the House and
was frequently appiaudcd on the minority
| side.
| Need for Expenditure Questioned.
| What is the reason for the great ex-
penditure of sadoo0 Gae?'' asked Mr.. Burton.
He answered the question by declaring that
it means that this country is but inviting
the nations of the earth to attack us, and
that this country is going to enter a field
opposite to that occupied III the past, and
seek to control the politics of the world
He asked who is afraid that the Monroe
doctrine is in danger, declaring that il is
secure and that there is nothing to be APP
pretended in that direction, Mr.. Burton
| asserted the supremacy of this country in
the western hemisphere. The Monroe doe
trine he said means that republics must
prevail on this side of the earth and that
the stronger are to protect the weaker
Efe wanted to know what Tobgobln dis
turbed the dream of the gentleman who
feared Germany would attack the United
States.
The nations of the earth respect u.s."
he said. they honor US, and so far as
fear is salutary they fear u.s.
The tendency was toward peace. con-
tinued Mr. Burton, and no nation, he said,
could go to war except for Just cause with
out receiving the condemnation of the
powers of the world He appealed for
the employment of diplomacy instead of
guns in the promotion of peace. He ques-
toned the minority 10 when they had
opposed these expenditures.
In closing, Mr.. Burton said: Il am unable
to vote for a bill which declares that the
United States. which should be the leader
in all works of peace. is going to double,
treble and quadrupie its naval establish
rnent all under the assertion that it is: in
the interest OF peace, You are not going
TO make the world believe this is in the
interest of peace.
Appeal for the Bill
Mr.. Powers tMass.). replying briefly to
Mir. Burton. made urgent appeal for the
bill. declaring that the expenditures being
made are in the interest of peace He
referred to the river and harbor bills
brought in by Mr. Burton carrying large
appropriations. He asked MIR Barton what
could have been done for Cuba had this
country not expended money for navy
and asked if the opponents of the bill want
to throw away the navy.
MIR. Williams said Mr.. Burton had placed
the minority in an unfair attitude by ask
Ing them why. in view OF their declaration
did not oppose these expenditures. He said
to do this would mean that vessels now
building would rusS al their docks and that
the sailors would go unfed. Reviewing The
appropriations for the army and navy ard
Qualifications, Mr.. Williams said that such
large sums were being expended for war
purposes that the river and haraor com
mittea. of which ar. Burton is chairman.
could not bring in bill and that govern
ment buildings could not be c1nstruct ed.
lie said when ooaniTy goes world power
ing" it must go about with chip on its
shoulder and be prepared
Would Maintain the Navy.
Mr.. Burton said his remarks were not
10 be construed to mean that work should
be brought to a standstin on ships under
construction. that the navy should not
be maintained. but what he did mean was
that there shouidssDe a great modification
of the bill applause on the denecrd tic
sidep. He again ques Toned the democrats
as to their opposition 10 these expendi-
lures and what they meant by their decla-
ration in he kansas civ platform and why
stop with one single minority report
against a naval bill
In answer to NJ. VIII ans. Mr.. Burton
said no river AMI harbor bill was being
reported Eec2us : there was now SIS go go
lying in the treasury to be expended on
river and harbors work, to which s1 Goo 0lg
was TO be added by the suadgy civil bill
twice much as had ever been Expended
in any yesr.
In View of this he sad ii would be futile
to bring in a rsva@ and harbor, bill
Nj Grosyenor edded to this that the sun
dry civil bill Is 10 carry s1o3ia Ssss for pub
lie buildings. saying TINT he was greatly
affected TO hear Mr.. Will;ars to whom he
referred as leader OF democrats in the
Housa and prospective feades.'jn national
politics. complaining because the ma ority
was not going 10 make further appropriate
tons.
AT 5:o7 pm the COMMITTEES arose. TWEEN
ty-six Of the seveaty-three pages of the
naval bill having been read and the House
at 5:0S pm adjourned s.a.s
Consul Frank Bostocks chimpanzee,
died Saturday pfzift nj Sctufi,anfi.s Circus.s