New-York tribune., 1905-02-28
THE NAVAL BILL PASSED
HOT DEBATE IN SENATE.
Dir. Lodge Defends the Presidents
Dominican Pollen.
IFRoM TIE rR1BrxE BrsrAr.15

IFRON TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU y
Washington. Feb. 2I.-The Senate to-day
passed the Naval Appropriation bill. after a
debate of unusual in,-rest which served in a
measure TO outline future naval policy. De-
Tending the bill from the attacks Of Senatorss
German. Blackburn, McCuuber and others Sen
ator Hale said that the American navy now
stood second in the world ana declared his be-
lief that further Increase in its size would bs
unnecessary beyond the annual authorization
of a single battleshIp. 20 replace those which
succumbed 70 the ravaSes OF time or became
obsolete from the progress OF invention He
said that it had been his opinion that only Ons
battleship need be authorized this year. but. the
question having received fun and fair discussion
in the House and decision having been reached
by non-partisan vote 70 authorize two battle
ships, his committee had deemed it best TO ac-
ceDt that decision
Mr. Hale asserted that the tendency OF naval
officials was TO recommend increases OF the
naval strength beyond the dictates of wisdom.
but he had the highest confidence in the present
Secretary OF the Navy. he estimated that after
this year the annual appropriation for the navy
would be less than 500 OO0OOO but not less than
800 100000 This years total expenditure viii
amount TO S120 100000. Incidentally, Mr.. Hale
deplored the loss Of American commerce and
spoke IN favor OF more energetic measures to
upbuiId the America an merchant marine. To
which, he believed. Congress should now turn
its attention
SENATOR LODGES SPEECH.
Senator Lodge delivered an eloquent and clear
cut speech. supporting the Naval bill. defend
ing the policy Of building more battIeships and
replying 10 criticisms which had been rnads
by others regarding the santo Domingo policy
Of the administration.
4 listened with great interest u The Senator
from Maryland (Nr. Gorman) when he made his
annual protest of affection for the navy foUovveI
by his annual attack on that branch OF me
service" said Mr.. Lodge. 4 fully appreciate
the talent which results I'm his annual attacks
losing nothing by repetition. The Senator from
Maryland has attempted to compare present ex-
penditures for the navy with the expenditures
during the Civil War The naval conditions ex-
listing during the Civil War are about as COM
parable with those Of to-day as those existing a.
the time of Trafalgar. or the expenses incurred
for the Roman triremes.
4 entirely disagree with the arguments os
some Senators as TO the iuadvfsabiIity Of con-
structing battleships. We can ind substitutes
for cruisers. Merchant ships can be pressed into
service. done in the Spanish war. We
can construct torpedo boats rapidly. but w%
must have battleships 10 keep the seas. Dsvxg
in Manila Bay. believing that coalition Of for
eign powers forming against the United
States, made constant appeals fo- a battleship
and finally, at great risk. there was sent 70 his
support the armOred monitor Monterey. Whea
it arrived all clouds disappeared from the hori-
zon. Battleships we must have. Smaller. lighter
auxiliary vessels we can provide from time 70
time. as may be necessary
VALUE OF BATTLEsHIPs.
Mr. Lodge signiaed his approval of the pro-
gramme outlined by Mr.. Hale. providing for the
proceeded 10 defend the utility OF bartIeships.
and read from an article written by H ". VII
son. whom he declared TO be the greatest British
naval authority. to the effect that the mrs.
and most striking lesson Of the Russo-Japaness
War had been the comparative tneffciency o.
torpedo boats" According TO Mr Wilson that
war has demonstrated conclusiveIy the value os
the modern large battleship and heavily afrnoreI
cruisers. Mr.. Lodge declared that the battle
ship has proved its ability 70 stand hard hitting
and stiu keep the sea From this he concluded
that the essential part Of naval fleet was IT'S
battleships.
The Senator from Maine has said we ara
reaching the necessary limit in the upbuHding
Of the navy he said, referring 70 Mr. Hale's
remarks. Il hope and believe CO."
We have TO pay the price Of the splendor %
yur own success" Mr.. Lodge continued You
cannot defend the country nor uphold the honor
y
Dor improvements, nor with pioughshares. Tho
surest promotion OF peace is entire preparedness
for war This and Jhis alone viii protect u
from wars OF asS-ession and prevent an unneces-
sary war. The pressure for land IS ever AZ ~,
doors % many European countries. America as-
pecialiy South America. offers a conStzn 1T trro-
tation TO such countries only a short riue 10
three European feeJs loy on Venezue,a. threat
ening 70 land marines TO seize custom houses: u.
went away as you all know, 1 believe the fact
that we had a powerful fleet in Porto Ric4a
waters at the time contributed largely 10 the
expedition with which they went Nor are we
safe in relying on our size wealth or our
resources, In lieu OF the weapons which should
be ready at our hands. Take the Russo-Japaness
Russia with a population of 140o00.0O0.
with empire boundless IN area. and With al
army OF 100000 men. has succC1bed "a the
little island kingdom OF Japan. with but 4o.-
900 population Russia was not prepared fer