The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-16
LENGTHY
OPPOSITION
To Navy BILL

Washington, Feb 1s.--The question of
what the policy of the government should
bo with respect to the upbuilding of the
navy was again threshed out in the
house yesterday during the con-
sideration Of the Naval Appropriation
hill, the debate developing much opposi-
tion to the proposed addition Of two bat
tleships to the naval establishment. AS
on yesterday, the defence OF the Philip
pines played an important part in the
discussion, while the events of the war
in the Far East from a naval point Of
view were given prominence by the ad-
Vocates of an increased navy. The house
met an hour earlier than usual and with
the exception OF a brier period the entire
time was consumed with the Naval bill.
Mr.. Butler Pa) upheld the proposed
increase in the number OF tattleships,
So ying until all sefshness had disappear
ed men would strike and countries would
strike. The Spaniards, he said, did not
dream such men as Captain Clark and
Engineer Milligan OF the Oregon lived.
lie said that the hurry OF business con-
gress had forgotten a duty IL owed 20
those two men.
Mr.. Butler elected Democra tic applause
when he said he hoped there would be
found some honorable way 10 get rid OF
the Philippines lie advised this gov
eminent 10 keep warch OF japan. He said
that while we were now friendly and low
ing each other and agreeing" the war
with Russia would be over some day and
then IL would be discovered that the
fighting man of the earth lives in the
Island OF Japan, five days from the Philip
pines and S5 days from tho United
States"
Mr.. Luckng CNrch). while believing
IN maintaining the present effectiveness
OF the navy. was opposed 20 the idea Of
unlimited expenditures for ships His con-
fidence in the present naval establish
ment. he said. was such that he believed
no nation I'm the world would attack this
country unless insulted 20 tho last de-
gree incidentally he charged that the
United States Steel corporation was fur
nshng steel to build up the British and
other navies az about one-thrd the cost
10 the United States
Mr.. Cochran (N. y opposed a large
standing army or = big navy Referring
20 the Venezuelan dispute with England.
Mr.. Cockrn declared that the greatest
triumph ever won IN the history of the
United States was when Secretary Olney
wrote a dispatch affecting the greatest
power I'm the world when the navy was
about onc-ffth its present size.
Mr. Cochran discounted the efficiency
of bsttleships around Port Arthur and
asserted that IL was the mines place in
position by rov-boats that laid low ves-
sells Of that kind
Mr. Douglass IN " made a plea for
more liberal treatment or the consular
service
Mr Slavdeu (TexD opposed tho pro-
posed increase in tho naval establishment
by two battleships
Tho bill was then read for amend
nent
The house voted down an amendment
offered hy Mr. Rlvey CVaD striking out
the proposed increase ~ 500 men for the
navy. although on point OF order by him
the provision permitting their immediate
enlistment was stricken out
The bin was laid aside. and following
the presentation of the conference report
on the Omnibus Claims bill. tho house at
$40 ,. m. adjourned TO II O'Clock a. m