The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-16


den OF maintaining armies and navies.
He said that in the United States in
recent years the expenses of the mill
tary and naval establishment had grown
to be five times as great as in 1887, ON
account out of all proportions to other
expenses. He deprecated the war talk
| in regard to Japan, and eontrasted the
two navies, showing that with ships now
under construction the navy of the United
States would be two-thirds larger than
that OF Japan, and was at present half
larger.
Finally, he said that the United States,
of all the nations of the world, should
take the lead in the move for a limitation
of ornaments, arguing as follows;
mo nation is threatening U.S. No ma
ton will think lightly OF engaging in
war with us. In England today the King.
the prime minister, the government and
a majority of the people are ready and
anxious to stand with us in move
ment for the limitation Of armament.
| Greatness does not consist in the strength
of government, but In the happiness and
the opportunity OF the individual citizen,
a thing far preferable, far more to be
desired than the triumphs of war or the
empty glories of imperial domination"
Tho speech was loudly applauded
Protect PHILIPPINES.
favored the big ships for the ploteotion
Of the Philippines y believe he said,
that the Philippines are the sword of
Demoeles hanging over the head of this
republic" and he contended that they
impose a responsibility which We should
be prepared to meet in the right way.
Considerable interest was aroused by
Mr.. Longworth of Ohio. who said that
while very generally he relied on the
good Judgment of Mr.. Burton, in this
particular case he was obliged to disagree
with him, and yielded to the opinion OF
a higher authority. and especially as the
opinion of the higher authority agreed
with his own.'
MIR. Iongworth said the adoption of Mr..
Burtons amendment would be an an
nouncement to the world that we have
taken a backward step.
Mr.. slayden of Texas favored interna-
tional arbitration and the reduction of
armament.
Mr.. Underwood Of Alabama opposed the
building of big battleships, but insisted
that submarine boats should be built for
coast defense.
Mr. Kitchen of North Carolina favored
the Burton amendment, and Representa-
tive Grosvenor of Ohio spoke for an in
creased navy
On a viva voce vote the Burton amend
ment was defeated, 106 to 122. On vote
by tellefS IHe OppOSlllOii AASACebSSu SiAtA
majority vote, and stood III ayes and 146
noes.
Amendments We're adopted limiting to
$500, 900 each the cost of the two torpedo
boat desroyers authorized in the bill,
exclusive of armament, and providing
that five of the vessels authorized to date
mot more than one battleship and one
torpedo boat destroyer, or two torpedo
boat destroyers." should be built by one
contracting party.
Then ensued the old fight of armor
plate. Mr.. w. w. Kitchen OF North
Carolia offered an amendment that in
securing the armor for the battleships,
the secretary of the navy should not
contract to pay greater prices per ton
than the prices contracted to be paid for
the battleships South Carolina and Mich
igan He explained that unless this was
adopted, the Midvale, Bethlehem and
Carnegie factories might undertake to
raise the price. The amendment was de-
feated, IS to 124. The bill was then COM
pleted and the committee of the whole
rose.
Then the bill was reported to the House
and nassed