The Washington herald., 1908-04-22


If We ever tackle that little brown
nation ] tell you now We will have our
hands full, said Senator Money, Of Mis-
sissippl, yesterday in the Senate in the
course Of the debate on the naval ap-
preparation bill.
The Mississippi Senator made the dec
laration at the end of a somewhat ir-
relayant discussion of the possibilities OF
war with Japan, into which he had
drifted as an incident TO his condemna-
tion Of the Philippine policy, and the in
crease of navy appropriations.
Mr.. Money cited examples of the great
courage and endurance of Japanese sol
diers. which ne believed exceeded that
OF any other army in the world.
The naval appropriation bill was taken
up on motion Of Senator Hale. chairman
OF the Naval Affairs Committee. It was
discussed Tor three hours, and was about
half completed before adjournment The
battle ship provision was not reached.
Battle ship Fight To-day.
To-day, 1t is understood, Senator Piles,
of Washington, will introduce an amend
ment increasing the number of battle
ships to be authorized from two to four.
Senator Beveridge. CT Indiana. who was
busy canvassing the Senate yesterday for
the provision, reported last evening that
many Democratic Senators had promised
70 vote for the Increase. The Republican
Senators from the Pacific Coast will vote
for it almost TO a man.
In the course Of the debate the cruise Of
the Atlantic fleet came In for a share of
consideration, Mr., Hale had referred to
the cruise as a spectacular perform
ance. This moved Mr., Bacon, of
Georgia, 20 inquire what the probable
cost OF the cruise would be.
The country viii not know for a long
time yet" replied Mr. Hale Not until
after the ships have turned their prows
homeward and found mooring at last in
an American home port and are dOcked
can the real cost be known"
Hale Doubts Wisdom of Trip.
Mr. Hale explained what he meant by
the term spectacular" The size of the
feet and its wcrld-encircling tour, he
said, made il a spectacle unprecedented
in history, a world spectacle. He had no
doubt that there existed In the minds Of
those who projected the trip" the idea
that some great good would be accom-
plished by it.
Just what that good IS remains to be
seen" said he Whether IL Will justify
the great expense and burden Of the trip
we shall not know, 1 say, for a long time
70 come,
Senator Lodge declared that the cruise
was wise move, "The naval unit said
the Senator. is a valuable thing, but II
is not the real strength of the navy. II
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 fleet
We have never until this year had an
efficient fleet l think the fact that we
have the feet, and this cruise, has done
much for the personnel OF. the navy"
Lodge Defends Long Voyage.
Mr.. Lodge explained that the men had
been given drills in repairing ships at
sea. "The cruise" he said, 'is not a
Barlike measure. but the greatest ele-
ment in preserving peace" The Senator
declared that some of the debate In the
Senate proceeded apparently on the the
ory that the fleet had gone abroad.
The fleet is in home waters" said he.
The Pacific coast is as much our country
as the Atlantic. This is rot the place t0
discuss war or rumors OF war But the
fact remained, said Mr. Lodge, that the
only recent disturbances that could fur
nish any excuse for a casus belli had oc-
coast.
The Senator expressed the opinion that
the fleet ought 10 be kept together
Nothing could be more foolish than to
have part of it on the Atlantic and part
on the Pacific" he said. This Observa-
tion was made in reply to criticism OF
Mr.. Money, that the Eastern coast had
been left unprotected. The Senator from
Massachusetts, concluded with an ad-
monition against increasing the army and
in favor of increasing the navy
"A strong navy" he said will mean
the certain peace Of the United States; q
weak navy Will invite war"
Beyeridge for Big Navy
Mr.. Beveridge, Of Indiana, made q
stirring appeal for a greater navy anC
in favor Of holding the Philippines. He
declared lndL the war talk died Ou1
coincident with the arrival OF the fieet
in Pacific waters. He spoke of the senti
mental benefit derived from the cruise ir
the quickened interest in the United
states among the South American re
publics, at whose ports the fleet touched
Mr.. BeverIdge's speech pleased the gal
lery occupants so much that Vice Presi
dent Fairbanks pounded with his gave
for several minutes TO restrain outburst:
Of applause.
The Senate amendments in the bill con
sidered yesterday were all passed favor
ably except Mr.. Hale's amendment givlne
STAFF officers Of the navy equal rank an(
pay with the staff officers of the army
but adding the provision that the ranl
shall not carry command. In view of tht
general desire 10 debate this amendment
il went over until to-day. The provision.
for increasing the pay OF the officers an(
men Of the navy was agreed to.
Among other Senate committee amend
ments acceded to was that OF appropriatinl
81, 600 600 for a naval base at Pearl Har
Dor, Hawaii.