The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Only Two BaltIeships Are Ia Be Built Instead of Four As
 Demanded
HOBS0N MAKES PROTEST
 AGAINST INADEQUACY
Alabamian Is Still Firm In His Belief That Peril Faces the Nation If Naval Defense Is Not
 Strengthened.

Washington, April S.-The naval appro- priation bill, authorizing the construction of two instead of four battleships, and eight instead of four submarine torpedo boats, and carrying a total appropriation of 03,967,51s for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909, was reported to the House today by Chairman Foss of the committee on naval affairs.
 The total appropriation recommended is $2251s,s31 less than the aggregate esti- mate submitted by the department and s, ,66S, ,916 more than the amount appro-
 priated for the fiscal year ending June 30. 1908. The bill carries an item of over s1,00o,O00 toward the construction of sub marine torpedo boats and an item of S445,- GOO toward the construction of sub-sur- face torpedo boats. Provision is made for the enlistment of 5000 men to man the following ships which are to be put in commission within the next few months: The California, Mississippi, Idaho, New Hampshire South Dakota, North Caro- lima. Montana Chester, Birmingham and Salem. and for 150O men required to man torpedo boats not now in commission. ltemized Bill. | Among the items in the bill are the l following:
 Naval training station, Great Lakes, l $l,o9SeOo:s construction and machinery,
 s9,s32 962: Aarmor and armament. s7.o00, 900;
 equipment, S4O0,Oo0 for sub-surfaee and submarine boats, sl .445U00 An increase of $500,00O oyer last years l an tfa,, a1Ia
 priation for ordnance and ordnance stores mainly for target practice, and because there will be in full or partial commits sion during the fiscal year 24 battleships. 12 frst-class cruisers, 66 second-rate and third-rate vessels, 60 torpedo vessels and 15 auXiliaries, making total of IT ves- sells.
 There is an increase of $l5O,000 for smokeless powder. The bill further pro- yides an appropriation of $415,OOO for re- placing the three-p -pounder and six pounder guns by three-inch .5O-calibre or larger guns because of the increase in the effective range of the latest type of torpedo These new guns are designed to give the ships protection against long range torpedo discharge Provision is made for other changes intended to keep the batteries of the ships in the highest state of efficiency. Nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars is appropriated for torpedo boats and the converting of tor pedo boats. The appropriation for arm ing and equipping the naval militia Is increased to S100.O00 in order that this branch of the naval reserve of the United States may be more efficiently conducted. The appropriation for equipment of ves- sells is increased $500,000 over the current fiscal year account of the increased number of ships in commission and the necessity of fitting them with the new gun firing apparatus and wireless teleg- raphy. The appropriation for coal and transpor- taton is increased $s50.000. For provisions for the navy an appropriation is made of | $6. .697. 1903. The report accompany the bill states that allowed increase of $100,0o0 in the appropriations of provisions for the marine corps lis due to the increased cost of 16 per cent in the price of ra- tions."
 Ships Under Construction. The report shows that there are in course of building seven battleships four armored cruisers, three scout cruisers, five torpedo boat destroyers. four submarine torpedo boats, two colliers and two sea- going tugs. The amount necessary to be appropriated to pay for the work now in progress and contracted for during ths next fiscal year is $172S2.962
 OnQer the heading naval programme the committee recommends that the Pres ident be authorized to have constructed two first-class battleships, to cost. exclu- siye of armor and armament, not ex- ceeding $6,000000 each, 10 torpedo boat de- stroyers to have the highest practicable speed and to cost, exclusive of arma- ment, not to exceed sS0O, 900 each; that the Secretary of the Navy be authorized to have constructed eight submarine torpedo boats. to cost in the aggregate not more than $3,5 ,000, of which amount s,1000,000 is appropriated; one sub-surface torpedo boat at cost not to exceed $400,0O0, and two small vessels of like type not to ex- ceed in cost $22.5O0 each, total authoriza- tion of 23.945,000. which will be increased $7 00O, 900 by the cost. of arming and equip- ping the two battleships.
 Fleet Building.
 The report shows that the naval con- struction board has learned that several foreign powers contemplated the expendi- ture of the following amount for vessels as indicated during the coming fiscal year:
 England-Three battleships, Dread naught type one fast unarmored cruiser, five ocean-going destroyers, F frst-class torpedo boats. 12 submarine--S39, AIS, $50.
 France-Ffve destroyers. 10 submarines SIS, ,696.346
 Csermany--Two battleships. one armored cruiser two scout cruisers, 12 destroy CTS and several submarines-sSO,5I5s60.
 Japan-s17, 793 for construction and repair, including the restoration of Rus sian battleships taken prizes.
 Russia-sl5, 0.000 for construction and repair.
 Brazil-Three battleships. two scout cruisers, IS torpedo boats and destroyers.
 The relative positions of the several powers in naval strength is shown to be as follows:
 Ships Built-Great Britain. United