The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-16
FOES To GROWTH
Of M|L|TAR|SM
Strong Opposition to
More BattIeships.
NAVAL BILL DEBATED
The Defence of the Philippines Plays
an Important Part in the Discus
sion in the House. The
Swayne' Case Develops
Humor.
(Rv the Associated Press.l !

Washington, Feb. 15.-The question
should be with respect to the upbuild-
ing of the navy was again threshed
out in the House today. during the
consideration of the Naval Appropria-
tion Bill, the debate developing much
opposition to the proposed addition of
two battleships TO the naval establish
ment. AS on Yesterday the defense
of the Philippines played an import
ant 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 advocates of an in
creased navy. The House met an hour
earlier than usual and with the ex-
ception of a brief period the entire
time was consumed with the naval
bill.
Mr.. Beall (Texas) in opposing large
appropriations for the navy and army
declared that the United States had
gone mad over the spirit of militarism
which was sapping the substance OF
the people The government was pay
ing as much attention to "ceremon-
les. pomp and power" as any govern
ment on earth and he said 1t was the
most extravagant government in the
world.
A Plea for Economy.
A plea for economy in the appro-
priation was made by Mr.. Sparkman
(Fla.) who prophesied that not in the
next generation nor possibly In the
next century would this country be-
come involved in a war between any
of the great world powers.
Entertaining a similar sentiment
Ms. Perkins (N. W ventured the
&c prti Io Ion on ny Oh
in commission or on the two battle
ships proposed by the bill if they
were authorized. would ever fire
hostile shot. He provoked q sharp
discussion by declaring that warships
disintegrated inside of twenty years.
Mr.. Brick Ond.), took issue with
him and cited the Texas while Mr..
Rixey (Fa.). maintained the correct
ness Of Mr.. Perkins position by stat
ing that high naval officers had de-
clared most of the warships now in
service to be obsolete and of no ac-
count. The statement was fatty con-
troverted by Mr. Dayton CIV Va,
who declared that there was not
single naval officer who would say
the ships in the American navy were
antiquated and out Of date.
The principle of upholding the Mon
roe Doctrine through battleships was
declared by Mr.. Thayer (Mass.), to
be unnecessary since he said, I'VE
are protecting it by the dictum of the
gentleman at the other end of the
avenue who don't require any battle
ships or law whatever to back him
up"
Democratic Applause Aroused.
Mr.. Butler (Pa.). turning to the
subject of the Philippines, elected
Democratic applause wnen ne sotIu ne
hoped there would be found some.
honorable way to get rid of them. He
advised this government 10 keep watch
OH Japan. He said that while we
were NOW friendly and loving each
other and agreeing the war with
Russia would be over some day and
then it would be discovered that the
fighting man Of the earth lives in the
island Of Japan, five days from the
Philippines and thirty-fiye days from
the United States.
Mr.. Cochran (N. Y.), opposed the
idea of a large standing army of a
big navy. Referring to the Venezue-
Ian dispute with England, Mr. Cock
ran declared that the creates triumph
ever won in the history of the United
States was when Secretary Olney
wrote q dispatch affecting the great
est power in the world when the
navy was about one-tifth it's present
size.
The House voted down an amend
ment offered by Mr.. Rixey (Va.),
striking out the proposed increase of
three thousand men for the navy al
though on a point of order by him the
provision permitting their Immediate
enlistment was stricken out
The House, without completing the
bill 161OIIYiIgH until tom