Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-22
AFOLLET1E TAKES Up
BATTLESH|P CHARGES
Resolutions Seek Information
as to Construction of YES
sells for Argentina.

Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin to-
day took up the published charges that
| the Navy Department had been letting
| the Argentine Republic into the bat
| tleship secrets of the American gov
eminent and has been giving material
aid, in the Washington navy yard and
elsewhere. to the sister republic in
South America in the construction of
two new battleships for it,
Two resolutions were introduced In the
Senate by Mr.. La F. llette, one calling on
the Secretary Of the Navy for information
answering the charges and the other
calling on the Secretary of State for any
communications file there. with Ar
gentine or with other government de-
partments, regarding the construction
and armament in this country. of two
battleships for the South American
Tower. He asked that the resolutions lie
on the table until tomorrow.
When the resolution affecting the Sec
rotary of State was read, Senator kean
OF New Jersey noticed that it directed
that official to perform q definite act He
suggested that the resolution be amend
ed to read that the Secretary of State Is
requested TO do the Senates bidding in
the case.
Rejects MI. Kean's Suggestion.
In view of the nature of the informa-
ton desired Senator La Toilette re-
Piled. II cannot comply with that re-
quest.
The Secretary of the Navy. in one reso-
luton, is directed to transmit to the
Senate a report on the following matters:
Copies of any and all orders which
may have been issued by the Secretary
OF the Navy or his subordinates, and OF
all communications received or sent by
the Navy Department pertaining to the
cn ct in DrlV2tp GhlDyardS OF two
battIeships for the account of the Argen-
tine Republic.
What, if any, plans of guns gun
mounts and other appliances pertaining
to the armament of battleShipS the prop
erty of the government of the United
States in the custody of the Navy De-
partment have been loaned, transmitted
or communicated to either the representa-
tive of the Argentine Repuolc or TO rep
resentatives of any shpbuildins COM
pany?
What. if any. such plans cover devices
which hitherto through patents or Sc
crecy have been the exclusive property of
the United States?
What Ii any, work has been dons>n
the navy yard at Washington Or ell e
where by any officials employees of the
Navy Department, civilians or otherwise,
to aid in the construction and armament
of the two battleships being bu 1t in this
country for the Argentine Republic?
IF any such plans have been so di-
vulged or if such work has been per-
formed by employees of the Navy Depart
ment by whose authority has such action
been taken and such work performed?'
Calls on Secretary of State.
In the other resolution the Secretary of
State is directed Ito furnish the Senate
with copies of any written communica-
tons and report upon any verbal COM
fp,fnicafiopS which p9SSad he
tween the State Department and any
other department of the government OF
the United States, or between the State
Department and any department or repre-
sentative Of the Argentine Republic, and
any other communications, written or
verbal, which may have been issued or
received by the State Department per-
tanning to the construction and armament
in this country Of two battleships for the
Argentine Republic