The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-06
HonSe Considers Naval ApprO-
priation Measure al Length
SALARIES ARE REGULATED
In Denounclng the Bill. johnson Of
South Carolina Wants to Know
How We Can Expect Peace
While Preparing for War.

Washington, May General debate on
the naval appropriation bill terminated
with the close of today's session of the
house. one paragraph of the bill being
read in order to make it the continuing
order before the house.
international arbitration. the reduction
of our armament, a carefully prepared ad-
dress on the achievem ents of the navy and
a defense of the naval programme for
1907 together with a speech in favor of
a monument on Kings mountain battle
field were the features of this legislative
day. Those who addressed the house
formally were Mr.. Bartholdt of Mis-
souri, Mr.. Johnson of South Carolina
Mr.. Webb of North Carolina and Mr..
Weeks of Massachusetts.
Mr.. Foss of Illinois, in charge of the
bill. stated that the naval budget would
be completed after two days debate
under the fve-minute hule. Mr.. Payne.
the floor leader, thought 1t would take
a day longer.
Before taking up the naval appropria-
ton bill today the house adopted a num-
ber of resolutions regulating salaries of
It's employees.
Visitors Appointed.
The speaker appointed Messrs. Roberts
of Massachusetts, Lilley of Connecticut
and Gregg OF Texas visitors to Annapolis
Naval academy.
As visitors to West Point, the speaker
appointed Messrs. Holiday of Indiana, s.
W. Smith of Michigan and Wiley of Ala
bama.
The house then went into committee of
the whole for further consideration of the
naval appropriation bill.
General debate on the bill was begun
by w. t. johnson of South Carolina, who
was strong in his denuncation of tho
naval programme as outlined in the bill
How can you expect peace when you
are making preparations for war;" he
asked.
"Since the commencement of the build
ing of our navy In 1883. there has been
expended for ships $252.272,667 The ships
already authorized, but not complete,
amount to s52. .429, S3S making a grand to-
tai of 1904, 100000.
what Is the game we are playing
Mr. Johnson asked impressively. The
United States builds a ship with armor.
that no gun can pierce. Then we take the
tax money of the people to build gun
that will demolish this armor." And
these monsters of human destruction"
as he denominated the fighting ships of
the American navy, ARE built, we are
told, to insure the safety of the world. ."
This he denominated as. ridescent dream.
Mr.. Bartholdt of Missouri gave notice
that at the proper time he would offer
an amendment to the naval bill providing
that the secretary of the navy should
defer the building of the 310,O00,000 ship
provided in the bill until after the forth
coming meeting of the second information
al Hague conference. and should the con-
ference adopt resolution at that con-
ference recommending the gradual dis
armament of the nation then the ship Is
not to be built.
Mr. Bartholdt argued in favor of a re-
ducton of the navy instead of its in
crease.
Argues for Reduction.
He said the question at issue was not
a military one, but an economic one. 1t
should be settled by statesmen and not
by the military. He said that the peace
policy now uppermost In the world con-
templated two demands-arbitraton
treaties between all the nations, and an
congress to say what Is in
ternatonal law. Mr.. Bartholdt then pass
ed to a discussion of International par
liamentary union, of which he is president
of the American group. He said that the
high position taken for International
peace at the meeting at Christiana, Nor
way, resulted largely In the convenlng of
the first Hague conference.
Mr. Chapp Clark aslpd how IL could
be assumed that the peace propaganda
was growing when the leading nations of
the world were adding to their forces
both on sea and land.
Mr. Barthodt replied that while II was
true that armaments were being added, 1t
was also true that there was larger
arbitration sentiment extant than ever be-
fore
Mr. Bartholdt outlined to a somewhat
larger extent than he did at the recent
meeting OF the American group of the
nter-parliamentary union held In this
city. the result of the conference held
In Paris lately by the committee having
charge of formulating a programme of
representation for an international peace
congress.
He said that the idea adopted was the
American idea. and In itself OF the ut
most Significance. and he had larger hopes
between the nations.
An appropriation of $4,000 for the build
ing OF a monument at Kings Mountain
battlefield was the subject OF speech
delivered by Mr.. Webb of North Caro-
lima.
81 raise the point of no quorum again
said Mr.. Clark OF Missouri. But the chair
'in his minds eye" counted quorum.
Mr.. Tirrell of Massachusetts, was recog-
nized 10 explain some of the reasons why
there are so many desertions from the
navy which he attributed to the enlist
ment of boys under IS years OF age.
Mr.. Tirrell said that there was not
postoffice along the Massachusetts coast
that did not contain a flaming poster
with magnificent battleships In the dis
tance and natty petty officer In the fore
ground inviting the young men of the
land to Join the navy. and telling Of the
benefits to be derived therein.
Stigma Of Desertion.
"A fraud order ought to be issued
against that" said Mr.. Mann of Illinois
sententiously. Mr.. Clark of Missouri said
II was a great mistake to put the stigma
of desertion on a boy who. out of pure
patriotism, had enlisted in the navy. and