Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-17
FOR The ORIENT
Congress Plans Liberal Appro-
rriation For Defense OF
Pacific islands
GUNS FOR THE WEST sEAcoAsT
Scheme includes Batteries for the Pa
cific Coast of the Mainland - Army
and Navy Disagree Over Manila
neutrality-suspicious. Except De-
Tense Funds to Be Cut.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Extraordinar-
lily liberal appropriations will be made
during the coming session Of congress
for the defense of the Philippines
Guam, Hawaii, and the Pacific coast
of the United States.
The matter has been considered by
the leaders in congress in conformity
with the request of the president and
the war department. with the result
that it has been decided to make large
appropriations for the protection OF
our western coast and possessions.
In all other expenditures the policy
of retrenchment is to be observed, and
it lis the purpose of Chairman TaWney
of the house appropriations commit
tee to deliver a solemn warning
against extravaganza.
The belief prevails That If appropria-
tons should be made for the next
fiscal year on the same scale as those
for the present fiscal year a deficit of
more than 500, OOo, 900 would be Gre
ated. To avoid anything Of it's kind
there is talk of having another cong
ress undertake the duty of passing the
river and harbor Improvement bill.
Some of the members are urging
thai their personal interests demand
the enactment Of a public building bill
during the present session, but 1T is
likely their wishes will not be needed.
Cut All But Defense Funds.
The speaker. Representative Tawney,
Representative Payne n several 9TH
ers who guide legislation in the house,
believe the interests of the country
must supersede personal ambition. and
they will, therefore, put the brakes
on hard.
This decision applies to everything
but appropriations for coast defense.
The estimates submitted by Secretary
Taft for this purpose were lavish,
amounting to $3S,443.9 45. The amount
appropriated for the present fiscal year
was only SO. SCI. SS3. The estimates in
clude almost 81. 600, 900 for moderniza-
tion of old emplacements, $4,000, 900 for
the purchase of additional sites to
carry out existing projects for de-
lenses, $3.50, 900 for the purchase OF
armament, and 81, 200, 900 to he used in
creating a reserve of ammunition, rec
commended by the board of national
defense, of which Secretary Taft was
head.
The largest single Item in the es-
Inmates was s14, 000.0 70 which 1t is de-
sired to use in putting the Philippines
Guam, and Hawaii in condition to de-
fend themselves from attack.
OF this Immense sum $6.4S8,0 600 Is
wanted for the construction of batter
les at Manila. Searchlights which
must be provided for these batteries
will cost S114,000 additional. ELECTRIC
plants also will be required, costing
$259,O8O.
1t is a curious fact that the war de-
partment has not asked for large APP
preparations for the defense of Subig
For this point 1T is estimated
that s105,716 will be necessary for the
installation of electric plants and
$143.O 900 for the construction of fire
control stations.
1t will be, recalled that there is a
sharp controversy in progress between
the army and navy as to Whefe the
naval station in the Philippines shall
be located.
The army, headed by Secretary Taft,
insists that Manila is the proper place,
being capable of easy defense, while
the navy declares that 1t is the best
Judge as to where the naval station
should be, and that the proper site Is
Subig bay.
AS soon as Secretary Taft comes
home the matter will be threshed out
before the president and the conclu-
sions will be submitted to congress. 1t
is likely the fight will be continued
in both the house and the senate, both
the army and navy being determined
to have it's own way because of the
principles involved.
1t is estimated that the ~appropria-.
lions for Manila desired by the war
department will aggregate $10,O00,0OO
alone. Of course, this large sum will
not be appropriated in case 1t should
be decided to establish the naval sta
ton at Subig bay.
Liberal Appropriations Sure.
Congress will not grant all the war
department wants in connection with
the defense of the Philippines. but un-
doubtedly it will be liberal in view of