New-York tribune., 1909-02-09
Mr.. PERKINS REPLIES.
Denies Presidents Chdrges-Cot-
leagues Defend Hem.
rFron rhs Tribune Bureau ]


Washington Feb s-The California Japanese
question played an unexpected and somewhat I'M
portanf part in to-day's executive session OF the
Senate although IT was the personal relations be-
tween he President and the Senators from Cali
rorsIs rather thsa the broader question. which
-roved sensational Senator Perkins OF California,
who feels that has been treated unjustly by the
President too. advantage OF the closed doors TO
vote against the four battleship programme urged
-nents echoed 10 soule extent by his colleague
Senator Flint
Senator Perkins declared tnat he had not opposed
Increased navy, except a year agc, when he did
vote against the four battleship programme urged
BY th4 President. He said further that he had not
been invited by she President TO attend the confer
eaces on the Acknowledgements situation. He
outlined OF the difficulties with which Cali
fornians have TO contend and appealed TO the sym
pathy Of his colleagues against the judgment and
the structures of the President He said he could
net understand why the President should intimate
that he had tried te stir Up snti-Japanese senti-
ment fn California.
Senator Flint then took the floor and said that
the President had asked him to act am
bassador between the federal government and
California but declared that he would do nothing
ef the iind until he was asked TO do by his
state.
Several Southern Senators took part in the de-
bate expressing sympathy with the attitude Of the
CsiiforEisns The Senate leaders declared that
81 wss incumbent the people of California to
consider the welfare OF the entire country rather
than their purely local interests and this senti-
nent seemed to prevail with majority OF the
members. although many were ready to denounce
the Presidents references 10 Mr. Perkins.
Tbe probability that IN the prospective reor-
gsnizstion OF the Senate committees MI Perkins
~rln succeed Mr. Hale chairman of the Com
nnittee on Naval Affairs has added the interest
felt IN the Presidents reference the California
Senator who has hsmpered the growth OF
the navy The subject discussed to-day by
members of both houses Of Congress. and it
ceived especial attention from the California dele
rET Pen rorfrr f,1
opinion that Senator Perkins had not deserved the
Presidents censure.
i have been inclined he said 'to uphold the
President in his efforts bring about an amicable
settlement Of The japanese question. but certain
y deplore his attack upon Senator Perkins. and I
believe this Is practically the sentiment of the Cali
forna delegation AS ranking member OF the Sen
ate Committee on Naval Affairs. no member OF
Congress has been stronger or more consistent
friend Of the navy than the senior Senator from
California Instead OF hsmpering the development
of the navy. he has rendered conspicuous service
II bringing IL up TO its present high standard OF
efficiency. Senator Perkins. together with the other
members Of the California delegation. has been
urging for the last two years the retention of a
formidable feet in Pacific # serious sit
nation he's existed In relations with Japan.
then il would appear have been criminal to take
the entire feet from Pacific waters. The President
should be backed IN his efforts to settle the jap
snese matter by diplomacy, but must avoid any
Indications Of UNDUE fear"
Before the Senate met to-day Mr.. Perkins IN
an interview. defended his course in connection
With the navy.
In 1898, he said, Il became member OF the
Senate Naval Affairs Committee. At that time we
did not have single battleship IN commission and
very few FIRST class cruisers To-day have TWEEN
Sy-seFenS bsttleships in commission and FIVE in
course Of construction. in addition 20 the feet of
nrst class cruisers. torpedo boats and other modern
vessels Of war. The appropriation fo- 1898 was
only sz5,eee.oeO for the support and building of
the navy and everything else. The naval bill now
pending in the Senate carries than s135, 0o0,
oeo. In 1898 had fifteen thousand sailors
and marines. To-day have about forty-fve
thousand sailors and marines. I have voted for
every increase in the naval appropriation that has
come before the committee, with the exception of
the last proposal 70 build four bat1eships in
which cid not think expedient, believing Il
the part Of wisdom and wise business policy to
profit hy experience and the mistakes in |
naval construction Of other countries q vert- |
scetion OF what say. I would refer 10 The Con-
ErsssionaI Record. which records every vote for |
ard against any pending measure