The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-21
HOUSE VOTES Q BATILESRIPS,
NAVAL MN PASSED WfTH FEN
NiTERI.iL CHANGES.
Amendment to Build 0nll One BaiileSllp
Dereated,Nith Cannon's Aid. Though
Fifty Republicans voted for II In
crease In Marine Corps stricken out.

crease In Marine Corps stricken out.
WARRINGTON. Feb. 20. without n yea
and nay vote, without even division.
the House Of Representatives tonight.
at the close of seven bour session passed
the Naval Appropriation bill retaining
the authorization OF two battleships, as
reported 10y the Committee on Naval Affairs
There was but one vote a rising division
in the committee OF the whole. which served
TO give nothing more than a mere indica-
ton Of how the members stood upon the
question. That was on motion Of Mr.
Perkins rep y. " to strike out one Of
the battleships. This was defeated-i?l
to 1i4.
Had the Democrats followed the lead
OF the minority members OF the Committee
on Naval Affairs the amendment would
have prevailed, for fully fifty Republicans
supported Mr.. Perkins, But il seemed
from glance at the Democratic side that
over half Of those present voted for tho
two ships. Speaker Cannon was on the
floor all afternoon and voted against the
Perkins amendment.
To Speaker Cannon must be given much
OF the credit for the action Of the House
in providing for the construction of two
battleships. There was a very general
disposition among Representatives to pro-
vide for one armorclad only. and while
Mr. Cannon shared the sentiment in favor
Of economy, and was, in fact. the fore
most exponent Of retrenohment, he made
it known that it was necessary for patriotic
reasons. as we'll as for reasons of inter-
national importance. to continue the naval
u INN trft hon mott ri oil
change.
Mr.. Cannon laid down the principle that
in voting down the proposal authorizing
two battleships the House would be sery-
ing notice on European Powers that when
the Far Eastern conflict had ended the
United States expected to have a voice in
resisting any attempt TO disturb the polit
cal or territorial entity of China. He be-
leves the Senate will agree with the House
that the Powers need notice that this Gov
eminent adheres TO the policy laid down
by Secretary Hay.
The proposed increase OF 23o enlisted
men and commissioned officers in the
Marine Corps was stricken from the bill
on point Of order made by Mr. Sherman
(Rep. y. " and the appropriation for
the CORPS reduced by about sl,CCo, eco
Otherwise the bill was not materially
changed
The motion 10 strike out one Of the bat
tleships was followed by a stirring debate,
Gen Grosvenor asserted that the original
programme Of construction considered by
the Committee on Naval Affairs. three
hattleships. has been approved by the al
most unanimous sentiment Of the country
last fall. and he had nowhere seen any evil
dence of a reversal Of the verdict expressed
al the polls
Mr. Hemenwsy Rep.. lnd) chairman
Of the Co:fanittee on Appropriations
warmed the hearts Of the friNnds Of the bill
by opposing Mr. Perkins's amendment on
account both OF the need Of steady and
rapid progress in tho building up Of the
navy and Of economy
Mr. Bauhodt rep. MOI, president of
the 1nterparamentary Arbitration Union,
said that a prohibition against military
and naval armament would he no more
effective in securing the peace Of the world
than prohibition in its ordinary sense would
occurs the sobriety Of people Nothing
but education resulting in a healthy public
sentiment would accomplish that end.
As a sincere friend If intimate arbitration
he found no difficulty in voting for two
hattleships
A motion by Mr. Humphrey rep, Washl
10 require the construction Of one Of the
battleships on the Pacific Coast vas dsa-
greed To and the provision Of the bill giving
the Secretary Of the Navy discretion TO
build the golfers authorized by the bill
of the current year to be constructed in
navy yard on the Pacific Coastby contract,
went out on a point Of order. An appro-
pria ton of $l75.O 10 equip Mare Island
Navy Yard TO build the collier was inserted
in the bill
An amendment offered ny Mr.. Vandiver
Dem. Mo- 70 limit the price Of armor
plate TO the figures offered by the Midyale
company Of Phila delphia was lost.