The morning journal-courier., 1908-04-28
Presidents Program for Four Per Year Overwhelmingly Defeated, But He is
 Jubilant.
PLACES U. s. IN FRONT RANK
President Had Hoped fin Securing Ad. ditional Ships to Dictate Terms of Disarmament to the
 World.

Washington, April 27-By an over whelming vote today President Roose. velts four battleship program failed in the senate just as 1t did in the house. The amendment for four battleships was introduced by Senator Piles and the fight for Its adoption was led by Senator Beveridge Twenty three votes were c1st for the increased program, the number largely being made LID of recently elected senators Fifty sena- tors voted to support the house, and the recommendation of the senate naval committee in favor of building only two bnttleships
 The debate on the battleship amend . ment lasted three days to the exclusion or all other matters. It was begun by Senator Beveridge with an eloquent appeal for the support of the president and a suggestion that the larger navy might be needed for war. Members of the committee upbraided the Indiana senator for this yelled hint of war with another country and sought to make him admit that he meant Japan. Al | times the discussion came near becom- Ing acrimonious, especially sharp ex- changes occurring between Senators Beveridge and Aldrich The latter's references to Mir Beveridge excited Senator Smith of Michigan to protest against the senate chamber being made slaughter house for the young senator from Indiana"
 It was developed by Senator Allison | during the debate that there is a well defined understanding among the sen. ate leaders for the authorization of two hattleships each year until the Ameri- can navy is regarded as sufficient to meet any demands that may be made upon it.
 AS finally passed, the bill carries ap- ! propriations aggregating s1o3,1l5,s5o | and provides for the construction of two battleships and two colliers and the purchase of three additional col Hers, the construction of submarines and other necessary craft, and in- oreases the pay of officers and enlisted l men, as well as increasing both the pay and the strength of the marine corps.
 Two battleships a year is what Pres. ident Roosevelt says he has accom- plished by his fight for his naval pro, gram, Had he ben victorious In having four such ships authorized at this ses. sion, the United States could have die tated terms of disarmament to the ma. i tions of the world. This statement made tonight Is understood to reveal the presidents source of strength in the contest which has been vaged so stren, uously,
 Furthermore, two ships this year with the promise of two ships a year to follow, which the president has ac. complished as a bona fde stipulation on the part of the senate means sim. ply program which will place the i United States in the front rank of naval progression, but falls to place the country In the position of dictat. Ing cessation of naval aggression,
 That the president on the whole is pleased with the result of his efforts with congress on this subject was made manifest tonight that he firmly believes in the ability of the United States to dictate the naval policy of the world in the future by demonstration of It's ability 10 overwhelmingly ont. strip rival construction, is equally man. fest.
 l President Roosevelt wanted four bat. tleships this year. He got two. With tn, two he obtained the promise that two more would be forthcoming each year This means. considering the dimension. of tha battleships which modern con. struction dictates, that the United States shall keep fully abreast of tho naval armament of any other nation.
 The friends of the president are flushed tonight with what they regart
 (CoDtinnn1 m Gacnbd Dooa