The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-26
SENATORS CLASH
DURING SPEECHES
ON BATTLESHIPS
Aldrich and Beyeridge
Lock Horns in Word
Battle.
Vote on Bill and Amend
ment Scheduled for
Tomorrow.

Rising to pitch Of dramatic intensity
that has not been reached in any pre-
cedins Senate debate Of this session,
the discussion on the nava! bill yes
terddy afternoon stirred up the advo-
Gates and opponents Of the White
House batueship program 10 fever heat.
Unusual bitterness was shown by the
foremost figures IN the controversy.
Under the leadership Of Senator Bev-
eridge, the supporters Of four battle
ships, the number the President urges.
made out a strong case Friday after
noon. Yesterday the Senator'S who arc
for the two-battleship program were
chiefly in evidence in the debate.
Senator AIdrich Of Rhode Island,
chairman OF the Finance Committee.
and the acknowledged leader on the
Republican side. led in the argument
for two battleships and against four.
and in his remarks undertook 10 take
Senator Beverage sharply to task.
Marked Display of Feeling.
The result was a marked display Of
feeling between the Rhode Island states
man and his younger colleague from
the Hoosier State.
Practically al afternoon the debate
continued. II was not by any means
concluded. Late in the afternoon. driven
10 II by the fact that the prospects of
reaching a vote seemed distant. Senator
Hale pleaded for an agreement to take
vote before adjournment Monday. He
had some difficulty in securing this.
but In the end il was decided 20 ad-
journ until Il o'clock Monday morning.
70 take vote on all amendments and
on the bill before adjournment Mon
day, and 20 continue the debate with
out limitation up 20 O'Clock in the
afternoon. and after that TO limit the
speeches 10 ten minutes.
Many Speeches Announced.
Numerous Senators gave notice OF
their intention 10 speak. They will be
heard Monday They include Senator'S
Flint, dU Pont. Clark Of Arkansas.
stone Smith, Sutherland, owen, and
Smoot. Senator Beveridge OF Indiana.
also. will speak further. aud probably
will close the debate IN behalf OF four
battleships. while Senator Hale IS ex-
pected to make the closing argument
TO- two.
Il was a cause Of general surprise
that so much interest should be aroused
I'm the question OF the number Of battle
ships II is we'll known that President
Roosevelt has been calling in Senators
for several days and urging the need
Of four big fighting monsters Of the
2o,G00-ton type. But il was expected =
vote would be reached before this time.
The situation has become extremely in
teresting.
President Emphatic.
The President is understood to have
grown emphatic with some Of the
Senator's he has called in TO urge ap-
preparation for four battleships. At 10
time in tile session thus far has he put
forth such an effort to get legislation
passed. His reasons for urging four
battleships so strongly are veiled in
mystery, with vague limitations that
the Administration expects trouble with
Japan, With the Pacirc ocean the thea
ter Of a blood- struggle for supremacy.
No one hes been able so far TO pin such
limitations down 10 positive assertions.
but they have served to add to the in
terest and intensity Of the Senate dis
cussion.
Senator Allison is one Of the members
recently summoned to the White House.
He is expected before the vote IS taken
on the Piles amendment for four bat
tleships to offer a compromise amend
ment. which Will appropriate for the
Immediate construction Of two battle
ships and will authorize two more.
Such a compromise would be satisfac-
tor, to the President. It is known the
White House has no expectation of he
ing able to secure an appropriation that
will allow the immediate beginning of
construction on four battleships.
Republican Lines Drawn.
What has added TO the zest Of the
discussion over the a.tleShips 'lues-
tion is the fact that to a considerable
degree tho lines have become drawn be
tween the old and the new forces on
the Republican side of the Senate.
Younger Senators have shown a dispO-
sition TO revolt from the regime Of
Senators Aldrich. Hale. and their lieu
tenants. It is generally believed that
the old leaders are quite as much inter
ested in preventing a successful uprising
against their command as they are in
the battleship question itself
Much speculation was heard as 20 the
reasons for the prolonged debate The
fact that there is war on between the
older ard the younger elements is one
It is understood, too. the
President is anxious 10 have the debate
continue and not be Closed up until
Monday. Letters and kilograms in great
numbers are pouring in on the Senate
from all sections OF the United States,
urging support for the Presidents pro-
gram.
Question Arouses Country.
The country has been aroused 10 no
slight degree. The President is aware
OF this II is well understood the four
amendment has been unable
any time up TO now TO get the votes TO
carry Il. But the President and his
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