The Washington herald., 1908-04-23

The battle ship section of the naval ap-
preparation bin was not reached in the
Senate yesterday. but it will be consid-
cred to-day and a warm contest is eX-
pected upon Senator Piles amendment
to authorize four big ships.
The bill was considered until after 5
o'clock Mr.. Clay. Of Georgia. objected
to the large expense for repairs on battle
ships and the apparent discrepancy be-
tween estimates and appropriations.
Mr., Warren. of Wyoming. chairman Of
the Committee on Military Affairs. called
attention to the amendment put on the
bill in the Senate Committee, adding a
full regiment Of marines. He said this
was an increase. and he reminded Mr..
Hale, in charge of the bill, that the latter
had been protesting in the Senate every
proposal to increase the army. In the
course OF the discussion the Senator read
a letter from Gen. j. Franklin Bell. an
Interview with Secretary Taft, and let
ter from newspaper correspondent 20
show that the War Department was not
responsible for the publication of an
l4AE EtEAAllA6 AAltAS NiAC iiAJ was ~ ~
increased TO I25.O0O men, The article had
been written by the correspondent. who
acquitted the War Department officers Of
responsibility.
What Taft Really Proposed.
This great bugaboo Of an army that is
going to eat up our resources-that is,
what Is left BY the battle ships-is con-
tinually held up before US" said Mr..
Warren. He referred 10 the criticism Ut
tered By Mr.. Hale some weeks ago. on a
mere newspaper story. attribudng 10 Sec
retary TAFT and the General STAFF of the
army the intentioue to increase the army
10 125.00 men. Although he had denied
that there was any such purpose on the
part of Secretary Taft at the time, it was
not sufficient to quiet the talk
The newspapers continue 70 give the
Senator from Maine the credit for having
pricked the war bubble" said Mr. War
ren. He sent 10 the desk and had read
an interview with Secretary Taft, denying
that he had ever inspired any such pub
lication as the one which attributed to
him a plan to increase the standing army
10 125,000 men. He declared that the Sec
retaTy had discussed the army very fully
IN q speech at Columbus. Ohio.
This brought Senator Foraker TO his
feet. and he sent TO the desk and had
read an extract from the speech Of the
Secretary. in which he expressed him
self in favor Of building up an army re-
serve on the State militia that would
afford Well-OrganiZed military establish
ment of 250,O00. available AT all times in an
emergency
Reads Gen. BeIl's Denial.
Blr Warren insisted that the entire
speech or Secretary Taft at Columbus
should be printed in the Record, instead
of part of it. whereupon Mr.. Foraker
asked for the printing of the entire
speech.
Continuing, Senator Warren sent to the
clerks desk and had read a letter from
Gen. J. Franklin Bell chief Of the Gen
eral STAFF, in which that officer insisted
lie had never declared for an Increase of
the army TO 125,00o, and that no one in
his Office held such views. He declared
also that the Secretary Of War had never
given expression TO such a plan.
Finally Mg. Warren had the clerk read
letter from the newspaper man who
had written the article purporting TO dis
close the plan of Secretary Taft for in
creasing the army. in which the writer
acquitted the Secretary Of War of the
responsibility for inspiring the article.
VIII Provide the Money.
Senator Hale referred TO a publication
in the newspapers describing the failure
to add appropriations in the bill for the
battle ships. submarines. and torpedo
boats which the bin authorized as il came
from the House. The Senator explained
that the omission was due to following
a usual plan of construction where de-
signs were 10 be worked out and adopted
before an appropriation would be needed.
Ordinarily an appropriation would not
have been necessary for the work author
iZed before next winter, but in this case
the types having been already agreed
upon, he recognized that an immediate
appropriation would be necessary, and he
gave notice that he would offer an amend
ment TO the naval bill for an initial ap-
preparation OF S7,500,0OO to start the work
Senator Piles, of Washington. will to-
day offer an amendment raising the num-
ber of battleships from two 10 four. Ar
informal poll Of the Senate yesterday dis
closed about twenty-five Senators favor
able TO the increase. Senators Lodge, Bev-
eridge, and Piles will speak in favor OF
IT, Mr.. Piles and his allies. il is under
stood, viii make a stand for the amend
ment, and an interesting debate is ex.
pected.