Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-20
ROUTE OF THE DEWEY
Senatorial Criticism of the
Navy Department.
F0RTlFYIkG PHILIPPINES
Use of Subig Bay as Naval Station
Discussed.
URGED BY SENATOR LODGE
Rate Bill Temporarily Laid Aside
Consular Reorganization Sent to
Conference.-The the House.
URGED BY SENATOR LODGE

When the Senate convened today Mr..
Overman presented an amendment to the
railroad rate bill providing that in cases OF
review of the findings of the Interstate COM
merce commission by the courts mo writ OF
injunction or interlocutory order shall be
granted by any district or circuit court
without first giving five days notice to the
adverse party nor until petition and answer
are filed and hearing thereon had"
The fertilization appropriation bill was
then taken UP for consideration.
Subig Bay as Naval Station.
The first discussion in connection with the
bill arose over the amendment prohibiting
the use at Subg bay of any Of the appro-
priation for Notifications In the Philippine
Islands. Mr.. Lodge criticised the provision,
say ng that over 100000 had been ex-
pended there; that 1t was sure to be a naval
station for the United States whether we
retain the Islands not and that the advice
of the naval experts in the matter should
not be Gisre9arded
Mr.. Bacon agreed that a naval station
should be retained in the Philippines, and
said that he would consent to the designa-
ton of Subig bay If some island containing
coal could not be utilized for that purpose.
He considered Cayite undesirable.
Mr. Frye who assisted In the negotiation
of the Spanish treaty, said that during the
progress of the negotiations no other place
than Subig bay had been mentioned as the
site for a naval station for the United
States
Mr. Perkins, in charge of the bill, said the
only reason the committee had for eltminat-
Ing Subig bay was found IN the fact that
the appropriation of 100000 for the Philip
pines was not sufficient to do apprectable
service at the bay. There were other places
needing protection where the money could
be used in effective manner. one or
these places was Manila He spoke of dry
dock Dewey. saying that if 1t had been built
in California it would be now at Its oestina-
ton. He declared the distance to be 5000
miles less and said the cost was intellectually
greater by the route taken. One item OF
cost mentioned was that of 5000 for toll
through Suez canal
Mr. Spooner said that 1t was very ex-
traordinary under the circumstances that
the dock should have been built on the At
Mr. Perkins agreed with him, but said
he did not desire to critictse the Navy De-
partment.
Harbors of Refuge.
Mr. Bacon suggested the long reaches
without harbors of refuge in the Pacific for
such a structure as the dock as an expla-
nation of the selection of the Atlantic route.
The explanation was not acceptable to
Mr. Perkins who said place Of refuge
was necessary.
pressing necessity for expenditures in the
Philippines. -.f
Fortifcations in Philippines.
Mr.. Teller moved an amendment striking
out the provision for the fertilization of
the Philippines. and Messrs. Allison and
Lodge declared their willingness to sup
port such motion. In supporting this
purpose Mr.. Teller said that money should
not be spent TO fortify harbors in the Phil
ippines unless along some determined plan.
Fortifcations necessary to defend the is
lands would cost 500, 900 600 he said, and
even the expenditure of that sum, he as
serted. would give no assurance of effective
defense. Criticising the cost of the islands
to the United States, the Colorado senator
declared that no official of the government
had given satisfactory statement. The
estimates varied, he said, from 5000 900. coo
to $3.50 $50. He hoped to see the day
when this country would be rid of the
Philippines.
The railroad rate bill was temporarily
laid aside to permit the continued consider
alton Of the fortified lions bill
Consular Bill Sent to Conference
The bill for the reorganization of the con-
sular service was sent to conference. The
| conferees on the part of the Senate are
| Messrs. Lodge. Cullom and Morgan.
Mr.. Elkins said he did not believe In the
surrender of the Philippines. He consd-
cred the Islands a great blessing and con-
tended that it was not in keeping with the
nature of the Anglo-SaXon race to let go
of land once in possession. He did not be-
lieve that even the democratic party would
be willing surrender the islands That
it would be difficult to find nation that
would be willing to take the Philippines
a gift was the opinion of Mr.. Bacon SEN
tentously expressed.
To Punish Premature Publication
While the motion of Mr.. Teller was pend
ing, Mr.. Clark ONyo) presented the confer
ellcc report on the bill providing punish
ment for the premature publication OF ss-
cret information OF the government ex-
planning that the conference committee had
included in the list of officials against whom
the prohibition is made operative members
of Congress, Notwithstanding they were
omitted from the bill as 1t passed both
houses.