Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-05
LEADER GORMAN' CRY
Calls a Halt on Army and
Navy Expenditures.
PROPOSED PARTY ISSUE
DEMOCRATS AT THE CAPITOL
DISCUSS NEW-FoUND POLICY.
Murmurs of Dissatisfaction at What
May Be a Repetition Of
Panama E1asco.
PROPOSED PARTY ISSUE

Undismayed by the failure Of his last ef-
fort to assault q popular policy clearly ap-
proved by the people-the Panama canal
Leader German II now trying to drum the
democracy Of the Senate into line against
another policy which stands high in the
favor of the public at large. In this at
tempt, as in the last one. he is flying in the
face of the sentiment of his party In the
lower body of Congress, the assemblage
supposed to be closer In touch with the
people.
Leader German wants the democrats to
oppose the further upbuilding OF the Amer
lean navy and the modernization Of the
regular army. In two speeches made in
the Senate within the last two days he has
drawn distinct political issue for his
party on these lines.
The House committee on naval affairs
has just completed the naval appropriation
bill providing for carrying on the consist
ent policy of this government. approved by
both great parties, of steadily building up
a naval force to keep pace with the de-
mands of the growing commercial and ter
ritorial interests Of the United States.
1t is known that the democratic members
Of the House committee on naval affairs
are heartily in accord with the policy of
naval expansion. Some members Of the
committee disagree as to the kinds of
SHIPS 10 Dc Du1lt, Out not as 10 tn0 general
question Of adding to the navy. 1t is a
mere matter Of tonnage and construction.
The democrats of the House, 1t is said,
will be in the same position.
Mr.. German Wants a Halt.
For a decade the democrats In Congress
have pointed to that great democrat. VIM.
G. Whitney as the father Of the modern
navy, and have taken credit to the party
because it was a democrat who started
the nation upon its course Of naval re-
juvenation. Leader German thinks 1t Is
time to call halt in army and navy ex-
penditures and wants his party to make
an issue on that score.
Leader German does not take this ground
with the plea Of economy. He does not OBJ
ject to spending the money, but to the
purpose to which the money is proposed
to be applied He declares that he wants
the millions intended for the army and
navy to be used In public improvements.
and mentions as specific objects the ports
of Boston, Baltimore and New York He
wants the harbors made big enough and
deep enough to hoat the growing commerce
Of the nation. no matter II for lack OF war
ships 1T cannot hereafter be protected from
capture and destruction by hostile feet
The program Of the House COMMITTEES ON
naval affairs for the additions to the naval
strength of the nation was adopted last
evening, 1t is specifically declared, on the
recommendation of a man who but a short
time ago was receptive candidate for
the democratic presidential nomination, Ad-
miral Dewey.
Since the days when the whole nation
nung IN GREATNESS suspense while the
oregon raced half way round the world to
join the American fleet in Spanish waters.
80 close was deemed the margin of the
naval strength Of this country. there has
been steadily increasing interest in the up
Dullolng OF the navy. Congressman realize
1t, and when naval bills are up for consid-
Grafton they hasten to get recognition on
the floor to lend their voices to the chorus
OF general commendation Of the legislation
Murmurings Of Dissatisfaction.
Democrats at the Capitol today were dis
cussing Leader Germans new-found issue
with some apprehension. There were many
murmurings Of dissatisfaction over what
some Of them feared would be a repetition
OF the failure to raid the Panama canal
treaty.
Leader German is being watched very
closely by his fellow-democrats in both
houses OF Congress. As his leadership was
so severely discredited In the Panama canal
legislation, 1t Is realized that Senator Cor
man Is In a precarious condition with re-
spect to his presidential boom, and it Is
thought that he himself Is keenly anxious
to make play which will reinstate him In
the confidence Of his political fellows and
restore the prestige as leader which he lost
In his efforts to play politics In connection
with the Panama canal treaty.
Aside from any feeling of patriotic pride
which the democrats in Congress have in
their legislative issues they are very sensi-
tive now upon the political bearing of the
partys attitude on all great questions.
They do not want to make failure In this
Congress II they can help 1t. as they ex-
pected to secure a great deal Of capital,
one way and another, out of this session.