Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-02-16
GREATER NAVY GAINS
{ VICTORY IN HOUSE
House Of Representatives Vote
70 Construct Two Big Battle
s ship; Of OreadRought Type.
BITTERLY OPPOSED BY MR.. BURTON
Points Out We Already Have a
Larger Navy Than Japan. but Mr..
Hull Makes a Vigorous Defense
During Which He Shows We Are
sNo Longer an isoIated Nation.
(By AssocIntcd press.l

tt, (By Associated press)
+ WASHINGTON, d. c.. Feb. 10
The proceedings OF the House today
on the naval appropriation bill were
devoted largely to the consideration
of the question of the increase of the
navy with especial reference to the
necessity for two bnttleships OF the
Dreadnaught type. The effort to re.
duce the number was defeated after
long debate. The proceedings were
opened by n motion made by MIR.
Burton of Ohio to eliminate one of
the big vessels and he made speech
In support of his own motion. I'm
which he took occasion to contrast
the American navy with tho Jnpa-
nese navy to the dctriment of the
latter, showing that with ships now
under construction the navy of the
United States would be nearly two.
thirds larger than that of Japan and
was at present half larger.
/ He referred to the number of ships
under construction. some of which
could not be completed until 1912 or
even later, aid maintained that there
WIS no immediate occasion for fur.
ther construction even OF the one
battleship now contemplated.
Finally he said that the United
States OF all the nations shall still
take tho lead in the move for n lin
iGtion of armamcnis, looking homo
fully forward to the time when peace
and amity should rest among the
whole human race.
Mr. Burton Does Not Expect War.
Continuing, Mr.. Burton said: mo
nation on the glol., is threatening us.
no nation On the gloIc will think
lightly OF engaging in war with us"
He declared that in England today
the king. prime minister. parliament
and the great majority Of the peopla
are ready and anxious to s'aYd with
MS i'll movement for the limitation
OF armament and concluded with Tho
declaration that greatness does not
consist i'm the strength OF government
but In the happiness and the oppor.
tnnity of each individual citizen, n
thing far preferable, far more to he
desired than the triumphs of war or
the empty glorics Of imperial do
main"
Tho speech was loudly applauded
Mr.. Burton was followed by Mr.
Crnmpacknr and Mr.. Longworth, who
favored the two ships: by Mr.. Stain
and by Mr. Underwood, who opposed
the provision
The galleries were crowded and
much interest was manifested in the
debate
Mr.. Hull's Vigorous Reply.
MI. Hull of Iowa took pronounc.
cd stand against the amendment of
Mr.. Burton. Referring to conten.
lion by Mr. Burton that the isolation
OF the United States is tho hest pro.
lection, Mr. Hull said that "he seem
cd to have forgotten the events OF
the last eight years when our spien.
did isolation was left behind with the
result that our flag now touched the
interests Of the world at so many
Doints that we are no longer an iso-
lated nation"
He said that preparedness was the
best argument for peace and that he
was In favor of fighting for peace If
necessary
Mr.. Kitchen of North Carolina In.
Vored the amendment of Mr. Burton
and Representative Grosvenor of Ohio
spoke in favor Of an increased navy.
Armor Plate Question.
After further discussion Mr.. Bur.
toms amendment to reduce the nun.
her of battleships was defeated by a
vote OF Ia to 14S. There ens,ied tho
Old fight on the question of armor
plate. Mr.. w. w, Kitchen of North
Carolina offered an amendment which
insured the armor of the best quality
for the two battleships mentioned In
tho bill: the Secretary of the Navy
shall not contract to pay greater
prices per ton than the prices con.
iracted to no paid for the hattlcships
south Carolina and Michigan.
lie explained that unless this was
amended the Carnegie factory MIGHT
undertake to raise the Dricc. Tho
. amendment was defeated So 10 ia
VIII Have sos, 100000 to Expcnd.
with those pcrplcxing problems out
OF the way the bill was changed aud
me committee OF the whole rose.
When the bill was reported to the
House Mr. Wharton nr fndinu. a.,