Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01
FOR A GREATER NAVY
DEBATE BY NATIONAL UNIVER-
sITY STUDENTS so DECIDES.
Judges Give the Verdict to Those
Who Argue for Stronger
Sea Power.

In discussing the proposition that the
United States should have a larger navy,
the three speakers for the affirmative, &C.
cording to the judges, presented more and
better arguments than did their opponents,
at the first semi-fnal debate of the
National University Law School last even
ing. First and second honors in the de-
bate were awarded, respectively, to James
L. WIlmeth Of Arkansas and George Fields
Of Idaho The debaters received much
applause from the large audience, which
gathered in the university hall on 18th
street.
The subject of the debate affirmed THAT
1t is for the best interests of the United
States to build and maintain a larger
navy The speakers for the affirmative,
the victors, were James L. Wilmeth of
Arkansas, Thomas W. Bramhall of New
York and Charles c. Redwood Of Texas.
Those who spoke for the negative were: E.
Madison Hall of Virginia, George B. Prin-
die of the District of Columbia, and George
Fields of Idaho. Wrisley Brown. president
of the Debating Society of the National
University Law School presided.
The judges of the debate were Senator
Elmer ]. Burkett OF Nebraska, Represen-
tative Gilbert n. Haugen of Iowa, and Mr..
Leander P Mitchell. assistant controller of
the treasury. Senator Burkett announced
the decision of the judges, stating that it
This is the first of three semi final de-
bates to be held within one week of each
other. From the preliminares six men
were chosen for each of the three semi
finals. From each of these sem-finals two
men are chosen, and the six men thus
selected will debate before the university
for the annual prize. The final debate VIII
be held at commencement time in May.
Mr. Wilneth and Mr.. Fields will be speak
ers at the final debate.
The Arguments.
The man who won the honors Of the even
ing was the first speaker, and his first APP
pearance put him at once in the front rank.
That the present navy is not commensurate
with the wealth, size and population of the
country was his argument. The other
leading powers, he said, had larger naVles
than ours. The interests of the United
States and the duty of the government to
its new possessions, he maintained, demand
a larger navy.
A vigorous foreign policy must be backed
up by a strong sea power. For the pro-
lection of American citizens and American
property abroad and for protecting our
coasts, the larger navy Is necessity.
Mr. Hall opened for the negative He
first took up the arguments for an increased
navy and pointed out that tney were not
well founded A larger navy Is not needed
to protect our commerce, he declared, De
cause that commerce Is very small III Is
not needed, he said, to insure peace, because
nation now threatens the CIlttSu SAWS
BY showing the enormous cost of maintain
ing the present navy s115,op0.o0o, he sound
ed a warning against a larger one, main
tanning that the money is needed more
somewhere else.
Mr. Bramhall, for the affirmative, argued
that If Spain had been prepared Tor war IN
1898 the United States navy would have
been insufficient. To protect the Monroe
doctrine In the future for defending the
Panama canal, for the protection of the
coasts of the country and for the defense
Of our new possessions, he argued, we need
the larger navy
Mr.. Prindle OF this city, speaking for the
negative took up the evils to result from
large navy. The men who construct the
battleships and those who command thenh
he said, will wish to see them In action,
and but small cause for action VIII suffiee.
The distinction made between officers ana
men on the nan-ef-war, he said, is class
distinction and contrary to our local IDEAS.
Mr. Redwood, for the affirmative, cited
statement made by Mr.. Calling, the IN
yentor. that his new gun would make wars
brief and would so add to the horrors OF
war that men would hesitate long before
going into a conflict. This he applied to
the modern fighting ship and. he SAID, the
effect of a larger navy would Do TO prevent
war The Spanish war, he maintained, hao
nut MS In the front rank OF nations, ana we
must meet the new conditions.
Closing Speeches.
Mr.. Fields who won second honors. was
the last speaker for the negative, and he
cha lIenee6 the affirmative to show that this