The Washington herald., 1908-04-26

Draw Book ON BeveFidge.
Mr.. Beveridge cited the Russo-Japanese
war as an incident Mr. Aldrich remind
ed him that he had predicted in his book,
''The Russian Advance" that the Rus
sian navy was far superior 10 the Japa-
nese navy. Senator Beveridge replied
that such was the opinion of all OBJ
servers. Mr.. Hale interrupted TO say that
he had read The Russian Advance" Fri
day night, and the book was devoted to
showing the superiority of Russia and to
prove that no other power could stand
against her,
THAT is my recollection of the book"
suggested Mr. Aldrich. 1T is evident
that 1 viii have to bring the book into
the Record 20 prove what I say
Yes, OF write another book, )" suggested
Mr. Hale.
Il fear the Senator from Indiana is no
better prophet than he is historian said
Mr. Aldrich.
Mr.. Aldrieh said he recognized the right
OF the President TO have his opinion In
regard to battle ships and TO send in
messages on the subject; but that Sena-
tors represented sovereign States and had
a responsibility Of their own. The Sena-
tor from Indiana had his right 10 his
opinion, but Mr.. Aldrich denied with en-
phasis that Mr. Beveridge spoke for the
President.
Beveridge COntradicts Aldrich.
Mr., Beveridge interrupted at this point.
he was white and trembling. He ad-
vanced toward Mr. Aldrich, shaking his
finger at him.
Il dislike to interrupt the Senator from
Rhode Island. but he must not continue
TO make this misstatement, said he. Il
have never assumed at any time in this
Senate 10 speak for anybody but myself
and the people who sent me here
Mr. Aldrich was objectihg 10 Mr.. Bev-
eridge's interruption and the Vice Presi-
dent was rapping for order. Finally the
presiding officer quoted the rule, but Mr..
Beveridge. apparently very angry. con-
tinued to shake a warning finger at the
Senator from Rhode Island and warn him
not to again misquote him. When the In
diana Senator had subsided. Mr.. Aldrich
explained that the impression he got from
Mr Beveridge's speech was that he as
sumed to speak for the President.
Not a Senator who heard that speech
but received the impression that the Sen
ator from Indiana spoke ex cathedra,'
said Mr.. Aldrich.
In conclusion, Mr.. Aldrich said he had
objected to the battie-ship increase be-
cause it would add SS000,000 a year TO
the navy charge upon the government.
tie believed that il two battle ships were
not enough TO preserve peace, four would
not be. The Issue was not one Of peace
or war il was a matter OF administra-
ton.
Lodge Sees No War Clouds.
At the conclusion Of Mr. Aldrich's
speech, Senator Lodge. explained that he
intended to vote for four battle ships. but
he would consider IT very unfortunate il
the country put any such construction
upon the reasons for his so voting as had
been advanced in debate. He intimated
that the war talk" was out OF place.
Il know OF no menace Of war threaten
ing this country. know Of no war cloud
hanging upon our horizon. said Mr..
Lodge. Nobody in authority has in
formed me, as a Senator or member OF
the Foreign Relations Committee, that
we are In danger OF war"
In the course of his speech Mr.. Lodge
declared that the first battle ships author
lied for the navy were under President
Harrison's administration. Senators Nc
CreaTy, OF Kentucky, Money, OF Missis-
sippi. and Culberson, of Texas. insisted
that the late William c. Whitney was
the father Of the new navy. Mr.. Nc
Creary reminded Mr.. Lodge that the
Texas and the first Maine we're both au-
thOrized under President ClevelanGs ad-
ministTation.
But they were not battle ships. They
were never so classed. They were heavily
armored cruisers. and are now obsolete.
said Mr.. Lodge IF there is one ship in
the navy that is absolutely worthless. it
is the Texas
Mr.. Culberson reminded the Senator
Of the performance of the Texas at
Santiago.
Lodge Quotes Shakespeare.
Mr.. Lodge condemned the speeches OF
Senators Beveridge and Piles.
"If war comes it will be due as much
TO loose talk as any other one thing"
he said. Talk about war helps 70 produce
a situation which causes war. I do not
even apprehend war from the monstous
doctrine that one State eau disregard
treaty obligations and plunge forty-hve
States into war"
Turning his attention to the alarmist
speeches Of the Senators who are fighting
for the additional ships, Mr.. Lodge spoke
somewhat sarcasucalIy, and concluded by
quoting from Hamlet an applicable pas
sage.
and I feel he added. turning toward
Mr.. Beyeridge. like finishing the quota
ton and admonishing-
Rest, rest, pertuTbed spirit
Mr Lodge said in conclusion that the
English feet had made for peace. She
had not had a war since the battle of
Waterloo. Without her feet she would
have been constantly involved. and her
colonies would have been torn from her.
He would vote for the additional war
ships because he believed that a great
navy would make for peace That was
sufficient reason for supporting the
TO Increase the number of
war ships, without "huttering the wings
of war over the world"
Western Senator Against 1t.
Senator Perkins, of California. express
ed the belief that there is no danger of
war between the United States and any
nation and said shat an appropriation
for two battle ships would carry out the
policy upon which the govern
ment had embarked. He is the only Pa
cifc Coast member who has expressed
opposition to the four-battle-ship pro-
gramme.
Mr. Perkins maintained a running de-
bate with Senators Beveridge and smoot,
the Utah Senator having joined the ranks
of the four-battle-ship men. The Cali
fornia Senator. who is a member of the
Naval Committee, quoted from message
Of Prnsidant Pnnsnr-aIf to The Irfftr-