The sun., 1908-04-22
FLEET A"WOULD SPECTACLE"
SENATOR HALE DOUBTS If THE
CRUISE rs WORTH WHILE,

While Ledge Says It's . Wise Moye and
UrGes Navy Inerease-MOney Oplnes
we'd Have . Deal Of Trouble Licking
the Japaneso-NaVal Bill Up IN senate.
WASHINGTON. April 2i.-In the course OF
the debate on the naval appropriation bill
in the Senate this afternoon Senator Hale
OF Maine characterized the cruise Of the
battleship feet as world spectacle Mr.
Bacon OF Georgia inquired what the probable
cost Of the cruise would be.
aThe country will not know for a long
time yet replied Mr.. Hale; mot until after
the ships have turned their prows home
ward and found mooring at last in an Ameri-
can home port and,are docked can the
real cost be known
Mr.. Hale explained what he meant by
the term spectacle" The size OF the
feet and lie world circling tour made II a
spectacle unprecedented in history, world
spectacle. The Senator said he had no
doubt there EXISTED in the minds Of those
who projected the trip that some great
good would be accomplished by IT, just
what that good is to be remains to be SEEN
Whether It will justify the great expense
and burden Of the trip we shall not know,
| say, for a long time to come
Senator Lodge answered the criticisms
by declaring that the cruise was wise
move "The naval unit, said the Senator
is a valuable thing, but II ia not the real
strength Of the navy 1t Is true we have
good ships They average better than
the ships Of any other navy. We have
fewer obsolete types. But the units are
not enough. We need the feet. We
have never until this year had an efficient
feet. think the fact that we have the
fleet and this cruise has done much for
the personnel Of the navy
The Senator declared that some Of the
debate In the Senate proceeded apparently
on the theory that the feet had gone abroad
The feet ia in home waters, said he. The
Pacific coast ia as much our country as the
Atlantic This was not the place to dis
cuss war OF rumOrs Of war, but the fact re-
mained that the only recent disturbances
that could furnish any excuse for a casus
belli had occurred not in the Orient hut on
our coast
The Senator expressed the opinion that
the fleet ought 10 be kept together. Moth
ing could be more foolish than 20 have part
Of II on the Atlantic and part on the Pacific
he said. This observation was made in re-
ply 10 criticisms Of Mr.. Money Of Mississippi
that the Eastern coast had been left unpTO-
tected The Senator from Massachusetts,
concluded with an admonltion against in
creasng the army and in favor Of increasing
the navy.
Mr.. Beveidgp Of Indiana made an APP
peal for u greater navy and in favor Of
holding the Philippines. He declared that
the war talk died out coincldent with
the arrival Of the fleet in Pacific waters.
He spoke Of the sentimental benefits derived
from the cruise in the quickened interest
in the United States among South Ameri-
can republics at whose ports the feet
touched. Mr. Beveridge's speech pleased
the gallery occupants 80 much that Vice
President Fairbanks pounded with his
gavel for several minutes TO restrain out
bursts OF applause.
The debate dnfted into discussion Of
the possibility Of war with Japan, which
stirred MIR. Money TO declare that: If We
ever tackle that little brown nation I'lltell
YOU now well have our hands full. Mr..
Money cited examples Of the great courage
and endurance Of Japanese soldiers. which
he believed exceeded that Of any other
army in the world.
The naval appropriation bill was taken
up on motion Of Senator Hale, who is chair
man uf the naval Affairs committee. The
bill was discussed for three hours and was
about half completed before adjournment,
The battleship provision was not reached
to-day. II is understood Senator Piles Of
Washington will introduce Tomorrow an
amendment increasing the number Of
battleships TO be authorized from two 20
four. Senator Beveridge OF Indiana. who
was busy canvassing the Senate to-day for
the provision, reported this evening that
many Democratic Senators had promised
10 vote for the increase.
The Senate amendments considered to-day
we're all passed favorably, except Mr.. Hale's
amendment giving stan officers of the
navy equal rank and pay with the staff
officers of the army, but adding the provi-
sion that the rank shall not carry command,
In view OF the general desire TO debate
this amendment il went over until to-
morrow. The provision for increasing the
pay Of the officers and men Of the navy went
through
Among other Senate committee amend
ments agreed 70 without objection was that
appropriating 100000 for naval base
at Pearl HarboT. Hawaii.