New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-04-28
SENATE REFUSES FOUR
VOTES TWO BATTLESHIPS.
4drocates of Larger NaUy, Ho1c-
eUcr, Uin TictOry.
from The Tribune Bureau


Washington. April 21-By vote of 30 TO %
the Senate at late hour this afternoon reject
ed the amendment to the naval bill providing
for four battIeships and then passed the bill,
which authorizes the construction of two ships
at a cost of S6OO0000 each and makes SI,Uo1,-
600 Immediately available therefor. The advo-
Gates of a larger navy won considerable vic
tory, however they committed the Repub-
lican leaders to a programme of two batteshps
a year. Some of the advocates OF four ships
insist that the vote for the amendment would
have been larger except for what they term the
tactless and extravagant speeches delivered in
| its support.
The debate to-day marked by continued
and severe rebuking of Senator Beveridge, ana
so caustic some of the expressions that
Senator Smith of Michigan speaking in defence
of the Senator from Indiana, exclaimed: Il
think it i'll becomes the older Senators to at
tempt to turn this historic Senate into charnel
house for the sacrifice Of the young Senator
from Indiana"
Senator Carter analyzed Mr.. Beveridges
speech of Friday. and after asserting that most
of the wars which he cited as having dropped
from the clouds were preceded by years of ex-
pectancy. said: The Senator from Indiana has
shaken my faith both in his capacity as a
prophet and his powers Of penetration in all
matters relating current historical deduction
Ridculing the Importance attached to the
authorization of two additional ships, Mr.. Carter
said regarding the Spanish War; We prac-
tically ordered the Spanish Minister out of this
city 1 suppose if we had had more battle
ships We would have ducked him in the Poto-
mac His Excellency the Chief Magistrate he
continued, 'refrained from giving any reason Tor
the building of four battelships. None was nee
essary. We might have assented to the four
ships but after this forid lurd. warlike appeal
for the preservation Of the imperllled world
peace by preparing now for the dire issue or
war it is amazing to that there should be a
single vote for the four ships. This may be
good amendment but il is supported by such
infirm and recklessly exploited reasons that We
we're obliged to vote against 1t in order to dis
countenance them. 1 feel constrained by the
solemn duty owe the country, menaced by this
cloud Of warike loose and incoherent declama-
ton, to vote against it,
TWO BATTLESHIPS A YEAR.
Senator Allison spoke against the amendment
but said: Il think under the present conditions
we should appropriate for two batteshlps
wear until our navy IS sufficient Tor our needs
want II known to the nation and to the world
that we have now entered upon programme OF
steady and comprehensive naval construction
But the present question is not momentous. II
resolves itself into a problem Of whether we
shall vote for four ships now or two now ana
two more seven months hence"
Senators Foraker, Hernenway. Dick. Perkins
Daniel and Bacon spoke briefly against the
amendment and Senators DUPONT, Smoot, Hey
burn and Fulton for it.
Senator Beveridge made final ten-minute
appeal for support of the amendment. more
conservative than his longer speeches but he
charged Mr. Aldrich with misquotng him, and
the Senator from Rhode Island stoutly repudi-
ated the charge, quoting The Record TO prove
the accuracy Ct his statements. Mr. Adrlch
said after quoting Mr. Beveridges reference to
Japan and his assertion that if he could speak
in executive session there would be few votes
against the amendment: The Senator should
remember that as orator his Delphic utter
ances are heard throughout the world. and he
should realize his responsibilities, for it, in view
of his statement on that occasion, we should
vote for four battIeships it would be evidence
to all the world that feared war, and with
specific and friendly nation"
Senator Smith spoke in support of the amend
nent and Senator Hale closed the debate with
a reputation of the idea that threat
ened and an expression of confidence in the
friendly attitude Of pan and Secretary Roots
assurances that all was well between the United
States and that country. He said that fortu-
nateIv the war note, which should never have
been sounded in this debate. had died away
He was glad the debate had occurred. it mad
given an opportunity for warike and lingo"
sentiment to reach its apex, and he felt confident
il must now die natural death,
The vote in deau on the four battleship amend
nent follows: