Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-16
HOUSE VOTES To build
TWO new bATTLESH|PS,
Decides Against Presidents Plan Fol
proposition to Build One De-
feated--A Very Lively Debate.

of race superiority develops, it bodos
danger.
This country" he said sis the f.
| Dorado of the Japanese and the people
of the country will not allow them t.
lodge there because they assert equal
| ity. This is the situation" he added
that justifies me in yielding my judg-
ment to that of the President of the
United States. He would conceive diff
Ticulties that would produce a clash be-
tween the Japanese and this country
Mr.. Rainey of Illinois caused merri-
ment by reading from a speech de-
livered by Cochran May 16, 1906
against military expansion, TO which
the New York representative replied
by inquirirg whether the San Francis
co school trouble had arisen then.
I'VE have had the race question
ever since the Cinnamon first landed
there and taught the Americans how to
play poker retorted Mr.. Rainey.
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi created
outbursts of applause by his opposi-
ton to military expansion. He referred
to Hobson as "a young enthusiast, an
expert on naval affairs. whose mind is
entirely absorbed along those lines"
He is like an eye specialist" Int said.
AN eye specialist never found a perfect
eye. This young specialist will never
find a perfect navy"
Referring to Cookran's remarks. Will
liamS said. amid a storm of applause and
laughter, that the President is com
mandcr-in-cEief of the army and navy
of tire United States and not commander
D.<f
States" Il declare in my solemn re-
sponsbility," he continued, adopting the
language of Cochran in referring to the
Presidents recommendation. that the
United States does not require four new
hattleships. What is the difference be
tween my responsibility and the respon-
hibility Of the Presidento Have I not
as good right as he to be solemn"
1T is impossible to talk about any
thing" Williams added. until a reign of
terror is brought in sight. If the Pres
ident should ask for a million soldiers
would we yield our judgment to him be-
cause he IS the commander-in-ch ief?" he
asked. Japan did not, lie said, want
trouble with the United States.
Fl am tired" he added, "of hearing this
nonsense Of seeking peace by preparing
for war;
The enormous resources of the United
States. he said, and the undoubted de-
termination, he said, would guarantee a
peace.
Hobson, moving to increase the number
of battlesliips from two to four, cited the
facts regarding the battleships being built
by other nations and said his proposition
was not for an increase compared with
others but merely to keep up with what
other nations were doing. He insisted
that the debate was not in line with his
proposition and said it was unjust "a
treat his proposition as one for military
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Tawuey moved to reduce the number of
new battleshipS from two to one.
Richardson of Alabama favored the
building of four battleships. and Lassiler
of Virginia denounced the policy of naval
expansion.
Humphrey of Washington read a brief
note addressed to him by the President
anyone should oppose four more battle
ships, and Humphrey. waving his hand
toward both sides Of the House. said that
ne Knew that DIT the bottom OF the OppO-
stion to the battleships was a design tc
create campaign matter
Fassett. N. Y, declared that he would
IA Their build four ships. and find that only
two were necessary than to build two
,, and find that four were necessary.
Robinson, Ark, urged the wisdom OF
maintaining the navy's efficiency by keep
ing UP its relative strength.
Bartholdt Mo. president of the Amer
lean Group of the International Parlia-
mentarv Union, supported the one bat.
teship amendment.
HAYES, Cal said that he voiced the de-
sire of the people of his state in speak
ing for four battleships, while Slayden
Texas, asserted that "the 100000 PEG
pie of Japan are in the throes of bank
ruptcy" and characterized as absurd ''tht
fear that they menace the T.0o0.0O0 o
America"
CONTINUED on Page Twelve.)