The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-28

who may known more about running railroad than he does navy, has ap- piled correct business principles. The ships would have been of no use to him If he had not come to Congress for this increase. What I complain of is that he has not applied correct business prin- cples in the number of battleships asked for. But, perhaps, 1t is asking too much to expect any of the secretaries of their departments since 1902 to exercise any duties beyond those of a mere clerk
 MT. Spooner asked why he specified since 1902, and MT. German replied that his knowledge of national government affairs extended back that far, and that the administration of President Roose- welt was begun at about that time. MT. German spoke of the danger of the heads of the government becoming so intoxi- oated with power as to carry them into the policy of construction of great na- vies for the purpose of taking territory we have no use for. and thus work trade destruction to our form of government"
 Mccumber Opposes.
 MT. McCumber said that every piece of legislation for international improve ment was Topped off because the money was needed for the construction of mighty battleships and dwelt on the in consistency of spending money for bat tleships that Twill never be used."
 MT. Perkins suggested that big navy was a bond of continued peace but MT. McCumber declared that to be an im- ported idea.
 MT. Morgan asked MT. Perkins if he had computed the interest that was being paid on the bond of peace Mr. Perkins replied that the interest was not com putable and said when war with Spain was voted, there was consternation from Maine to Galveston because Spain had more battleships than the United States, and might attack some defenseless coun- try.
 Morgan Makes Retort.
 Pardon me" interrupted MT. Morgan. but I do not think that consternation went further south than the Potomac"
 The amendment providing tha- the limit of cost, exclusive of armor and arma- ment, of each of the colliers and scout cruisers shall be s1. 50000. was agreed to.
 Mir Carmack submitted an amendment to restrict the number of battleships to be provided by the bill from two to one. and MT. Blackburn supported the amend ment on the ground that if the ships pro- vided for in the bill are built it would be necessary to increase the navy to S0000 men.
 Every time we build q new battle snip we nave new SpdSIH Ol ltlIoft diiu so every time we have new spasm we build a new ship said MT. CarmaclS in beginning a speech in deprecation of too great increase of the navy. We have just elected to the office of chief ex- ecutive" he said "the most militant and strenuous gentleman who ever planted his armored heel upon our soil. He has in culcated the love of war flor it's own sake: he touches the doctrine that peace te oF oII m HfrfIpS. he iS inflicted with an incurable propensity to interfere with the affairs of other na- tions. especially with those of the coun- tries to the south of us"
 He asserted that from these eircum- stances other nations have a right to conclude that we are arming for aggres- sion rather than for defense. Since he went on. "the President threw the arbi- tration treaties into the fire because the Senate would not surrender it's treaty prerogatives we have a right to con clude thas he is intent on increasing his own powers. rather than maintaining the peace of the world"
 He declared that he was tired of being walked up in the middle of the night ''ev- cry time some pickaninny republic. which the President has taken to his strenuous and protecting arms. raises a wailing voice.
 Mir Carmack moved to strike out one of the battleships and Mir. Hale explain ed that two ships was a conservative in- crease and less than the demands of the general board.
 Lodge Defends Increase. Mir. Lodge said: T want a strong navy | for one simple reason, because I be- lieve it is the guarantee of peace. In | this age you cannot defend the coun- | try with bluster and you cannot go on the t1o+ r.rfI1 ntt Olr t1u l.a | cause we are rich and strong" l Continuing. he said that the autocracies | O. Europe did not like us; that they were | all land-hungry. and would not refrain from landing troops in South American countries. but for the nearness of Amer l ican fleets.
 MT. Teller said if the United States was | to become a collector, we would need a navy twice as large as that we now have. 1 MT. Carmack's motion to cut out one of
 tht proposed battleships was voted down. | 22 to s.