Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-23
HOUSE PASSES NAVAL BILL
Measure Carrying Hundred Thirty
Five Million Goes Through.
FOR TWO NEW BATTLEsHIPs
Extended Debate on Amendment TO
Strike Out This Provision, in
which Jan Situation Plays
Prominent Part.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2s.-Exactly as re-
ported by the committee the naval program
for the fiscal year 1910 WAS today adopted
by the house of Representatives and the
naval appropriation bill was passed. The
opponents OF the navy increase feature of
the bill found themselves in a hopeless mi
nority. The only vital alteration made in
the measure was the striking out of the
provision restoring marines to naval ves-
sells. The aggregate amount appropriated
by the bill is s1S, 100000.
As has been the case in the past the
Increase in the naval estimate gave rise
to extended and heated debate, in which
members were afforded an opportunity to
air their views OF the Japanese question.
The peace advocates were much In evidence
In opposition to such increase, while the
adherents of the proposition were alive at
all times to every move made to cut down
the number of vessels authorized,
BRrthoId Opposes BattIeshIps.
Speaking in support of an amendment by
Mr.. Finley of South Carolina, striking out
the battleship provision. Mr.. Bartholdt of
Missouri declared that II there ever was a
time when such an appropriation was un-
wise and unnecessary it was now. ut is un-
al
peace with all the world and, what is more.
we have wisely managed to safeguard our
peace as It has never been safeguarded
before"
He would have congress provide for the
necessities of the peaceful development of
the country There is" he declared, some
thing besides the big stick which secured
our national peace
Representative Tawney, chairman OF
the house committee on appropriations.
vigorously attacked the program for ma
val increase, attributing the present
Japanese agitation to the desire to have
the naval program adopted. Mr.. Tawney
in his remarks predicted a deficit OF
$l25,oo6,o00 for the present fiscal year
AMI of $l43,O00,oOO for the next year
Hepburn Predicts War.
Replying to Mr.. Tawney. Mr.. Hepburn
of Iowa found reason for the increase
of the navy in the warlike character of
the American people. Every generation
of Americans, he said. has had its war
and probably the next generation would
have it's.
the most radical views OF the japanese
question heard in the house for some
time were uttered by Mr.. Cochran Of
| New York, who took issue with Mr. Hep
burn regarding racial repulsion. Il be-
lieve." he declared, ''it is impossible for
that repulsion to change" All the un-
broken story of history, he said. was
that ii was inmate, unconquerabe ire
pressive." Never, he said, had two races
dwelt together peacefully in actual con-
| tact, except under one condition, and
! that he asserted, was where one has con-
sented to admit superiority in the other"
| He speculated on what might happen
! should the anti-Japanese feeling which,
he said, was unconquerable. take the form
that it took against the Italians in New
Orleans.
ID you think" he inquired the Japa-
nese In TOXIC would allow that to pass
without reprisals on Americans in ia
| pan? If you do" he added, you never
| have visited that country"
He said that the japanese had but one
fixed idea and that was love OF country.
| Outrage that love" he exclaimed, land
reprisals will follow"
Others who opposed the amendment were
Mr.. Richardson CAla-), Mr.. Harrison IN.
! ". Mr.. Bates CPa-), Hughes IN. j. and
Foss Qll), while Mr.. Finley, its author,
urged its adoption. The vote then being
taken the amendment was lost-l6O to so.
Two New BattIeshipS.
An amendment by Mr.. Macon CArk) pro-
viding for one bsttleshp met a similar fate
as did practically an Identical one offered
| later by Mr.. Burton (O), the vote standing