The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-16
ONLY TWO BIG WARSHIPS
 WILL BE PROVIDED FOR
Hobson Also Geto Setback In His Ad- vocacy of Greater Navy and Offers Compromise, But
 Is Defeated.


 to S3 the House of Representa- tives today decided against the Presidents programme for four battleships, and adhered to the recommendation ef it's committee on naval affairs for two vessels of that type. The result was reached after a debate which lasted four hours and was received with applause.
 The entire session was devoted to consideration of the navy increase pro- vision of the appropriations bill. As this increase was provided in the last section of the bill the measure was practically concluded with the disposition of the pro- vision. The committee of the whole con- cluded its work and will report it to the House tomorrow for final vote on it's passage.
 The provision for battleships was the chief point of interest, the committee's recommendation for two ships of the type prevailing by a decisive vote after hard effort to increase the number to four.
 An amendment by MT. Tawney to de- crease the number to one was voted down by an even larger majority than was MT. Hobsons proposition for an increase A of 16 knots and of 12,00O tons capacity, costing S1,soO,OOo each, was adopted Amendments were adopted that one of the battleships and one of the colliers shall be built in navy yard.
 Mir Cochran of New York made 8 striking speech in favor of the building of four new ships.
 Beginning by declaring that he agreed with the sentiments expressed by MT. Burton, MT. Cochran added that while the House was to use iss own judgment concerning it's actions, yet the President being commander-in-chicf of the military forces, great dependence was due to his recommendations. He regretted that the nation had undertaken the construction of a fighting force and abandoneded the policy through which we won conse- quence in this world without parallel"
 Referring to MT. Cockran's remarks, Mr Williams said, amid a storm of ap plause and laughter, that the President Is 1 commander-in- in-chief of the army and navy of the United States and not com mander-in- chief of the Congress of the United States. "I declare on my solemn responsibility" he continued, adopting the language of Mr. Cochran, in referring to the Presidents recommendation, that the United States does not require four new battleships. What is the difference between my responsibility and the re- sponsiblity of the President? Have I not as good a right he to be solemn?'
 Japan did not he said, want trouble with the United States ''I aAa tired,' he added ''of hearing this nonsense of seek ing peace by preparing for war
 vVt,1 nf hA States, he said, and the undoubted de- termination of the people, would guaran- tee peace.
 Mr. Hobson, moving to increase the number of battleships from two to four, cited the facts regarding the battleships being built by other nations and said his proposition was not for an increase compared with others, but to merely keep up with what other nations were doing. He insisted that the debate was not in line with his propositions and said it was unjust to treat his proposition as one for military aggrandizement.
 MT. Tawney moved to reduce the num- Der of new battleships from two to one.
 Mir. Tawneys Speech.
 During the consideration of the naval appropriation bill in the House of Rep resentatives today Chairman Tawney Of the committee on appropriations sgaia pointed out the danger in which the treasury is being placed by the immense increases Tn appropriations authorized in the several supply measures MT. Taw- neys remarks were made particularly ap- plicable to the demand for four battle ships instead of two. He compared tho appropriations in various countries in preparation for war and on account of wars. and said the startling fact was de- veloped that the United States was spend- ing more money than any other nation in the world.
 We are this year." he said "expending $S4,975,23S more than England; $136, ,O67, S3S more than Germany and s152, ,S59,936 more than France. Continuing the comparison MT. Tawney declared further that on ac- count of preparation for war the United States when an army of 52,0O0 men and Q navy of 42,00O men is expending this year only $66, 473, TOLLS less than England, with an army of 204,300 men and a navy of 129,- GOO men. That the United States is ex- pending for this purpose only S35, 1884, ,Se9 03 less than Germany with her army of 600.- GOO and her navy of 1000 men. That the United States is expendng for this pur- pose in excess of the amount expended in France, with her army of 550,000 men and her navy of 56,2S5 men, $2,6S3 332. A.
 Navies For Defense Only. Maintaining that navies are built for national defense, MT. Tawney said that they were not intended and could not be justified upon the ground that they are necessary to satisfy an ambition either individual or na tional to compete with other nations in time of reace in size and number of fighting machines. He argued that the United States, the pres tige and power of tae nation, did not de- pcld upon the size of tie army and navy. k."rhere is no policy of our government" be said, "ether foreign or domestic to en- krce which the size of either IS the first
 only essential. The country" he said, lhas SO.0OO,OoO of patriotic people, and