New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-21
OPPOSE TWO BATTLESH|PS.
Senator Hale Says They Will
Cost $4,000 900 Each.
BIG DEFICIT PREDICTED
Country Gone Mad Over Naval
Increase, Says Senator Clay
Vote in Senate Will Be Close.
[renm The rr,huna Rnreau- l

from The Tribune Bureau
Washington, May 20.-All the provisions
of the naval appropriation bill were ap-
proved by the Senate to-day except the
section authorizing the construction of two
new battIeships. An amendment authoriz-
ing one new battleship, offered by Senator
Burton, was supported by Senators Clay,
Hale and Burton. Senator Gallinger spoke
briefly in favor of two battleshipS. Fur
ther consideration Of the bill was post
poned until Monday, when Senators Lodge,
Beveridge and others will speak in support
OF the two-battleships programme. 1t Is
expected that the vote on the Burton
amendment will be close, as several Sen
ators who have been regarded as favorIng
two ships to-day indicated their unwilling
ness to vote for more than one on account
OF the condition OF the Treasury.
The opponents of two battleships argued,
first that 1t was an unnecessary waste of
public money, and, second, that it was
notice to the world that the United States
is not disposed to do it's share toward inter
national peace. They declared that there
is no danger Of war and that the time has
come when this country should take 'tef1-
mite steps toward intoxicating a spirit OF
justice among the nations TO the end that
ships in the settlement of international
contentious
Senators Hale and Clay made several
references to the Nobel prize address OF
Theodore Roosevelt at Chrisriania. Mr..
Hale said he was delighted to welcome the
ex-President to the ranks of those who are
beginning to realize the fatal results of the
ascendancy of che military branch Of gov
eminent. He predicted that unless heroic
measures were adopted 10y Congress the
naval appropriation bill ten years hence
would exceed SIS 900, 600. Mr.. Hale said
that the appropriations of this Congress
would exceed those of any previous Con-
gress The enormous military expenditures
made 1t necessary to cut appropriations of
the civil branch of the government. he
said he took no stock in the familiar argu-
ment that great navy is the best protec-
ton against war. On the contrary, he be-
lieved that every increase In the appropria-
ton for the military establishment IN
creased the chances of war.
Plea for Economy.
Mr.. Clay presented tables showing tre-
mendous increases for the maintenance or
the navy. I'VE have lost our heads, and if
we do not stop we will bankrupt the gov
eminent" he declared. Mr.. Clay said that
If this Congress passes a public buildings
bill the expenditures of the present session
will exceed by s30,0OO,000 any previous high
record of extravaganza. He said he doubted
Mr. Aldrich's statement that by the adop-
ton of up-to-date business methods q saw
ing of sS0OO0O,OO0 a year could be made in
the running expenses of the government.
but he was confident that a saving OF
$50 0D0.01D a wear was possible
Asserting that the appropriation for the
navy proposed for the present year amounts
to 50 for each man, woman and child in
the country, he said:
I'm the last twelve years Congress has
passed laws authorizing twenty new battle
ships We are now expanding almost
sf4ouOnoOO a year, against SIS, 100000 twelve
years ago. Apparently We haven't the
courage to stop. We are gone wild-abso-
Iutely wild. In this day of high Christian
civilization the nations are exhausting
in their military expenditures the resources
that ought to go to feeding the hungry. We
ought to stop and think. "
BY quoting Senator Hale as authority for
the statement that each of the proposed
battleships would cost not less than
SIC 100000. Mr. Clay aroused general inter
est Mr.. Gallnger expressed doubt, and
gave figures to show that the cost would
not exceed 100000.
Mr. Hale not only sustained Mr.. Clay,
but added to his figures. He spoke of the
vessels as completely armored and
equipped, and said the total cost of putting
one of them in the water probably would
be nearer sfS0OO,0o0 than s16,00c,00o He de-
clared that the falIibility of the Naval
Board was such that there could be no
guarantee for the future.
.'That board never has been able to make
a recommendation of type in these ships
that has been good for two years in sue
cession," he said.
After estimating that there would be a
deficit at the end of the year, Mr.. Hale
said:
"AlI this talk of the possession of sur
plus revenue places us In fools paradise"
Mr. Gallinger pointed out that there had
been a substantial reduction this year in
both the army and the naval bills, but he
also feared that a deficit would be shown
at the end of the year. While agreeing that
the Country had been cunning wild in re-
gard to size of ships, he expressed the
opinion that the safest plan was to carry
out the present programme for shipbuild-
ing. He thought the United States should
have an adequate navy.
Mr.. Burton contended that in her cfvili-
zation, isolation and resources the United
States had ample protection. He referred
to the Monroe Doctrine, and asked by
Mr.. Gallinger if Germany would have kept
hands off in South America If the United
States had not had a strong navy. Mr..
Burton replied that England and France
would not permit German advances, to
which Mr.. Gallinger replied that without
navies they could do nothing.