The Washington times., 1912-01-30
STRIKING AT THE GREATER NAVY.

House Democrats took a stand against the passage
this session Of public buildings bill and at the same
time struck at the program Of authorizing the con-
struction of two great bateships for the navy. BY
their action on the public buildings BILL they will op
off authorizations this year of about SIG OOO 900, and
by their action on the batteships they will reduce
prospective expenditures to the extent Of about
$2O,OOO,OOO.
Undenably there are two sides to the question
Of passing public buildings bill, inasmuch as the
Treasury Department now is far behind the legisa-
ton of Congress on the subject 1t proposed in
the forthcoming bill allow but one authorization to
each Congressional district. While this plan smack
ed plainly Of politics, it can hardly be denomnated
extravaganza. Nor it be denounced with much
heat as pork bari" measure. However, it can be
argued with much force that until the Treasury De-
partment catches up in construction with the auhori
cations of Congress for public buildings there is lit
tie in going ahead passing public buildings legis-
laton.
But when it comes to striking at the policy Of
greater navy by looping off the usual authorization
for two battleShpS that is another matter. 1t may
we'll be doubted whether in doing this the Democrats
have not committed a blunder from which they will
find difficulty in recovering. 1t has been pretty clear
y settled in years that the people of this
try want greater navy and that they willing to
pay for the cost of it. Viewed as military propo-
son, there is much to be said in support of the idea
that great navy is really economical so far the
United States is conceGed. AS a matter of fact,
long this country is determined to hold possessions
in the Orient, in the Central Pacific and in the West
Indian region and so long as it is bent enforcing
respect for the Monroe Doctrine while keeping
careful eye on the Panama Canal, it is essential to
have a powerful navy.
Every man who has studied to any depth the
military situation of this country knows that the army
is not fitted for sudden war. Americans believe with
justification that this country has the foundation here
for an army that equal that of any in the world
But it cannot be prepared for action in day, nor in
six months. 1t takes time. The country will not
have large standing army. Its reliance for defen
sive purposes must be the navy. And there is rea
son to believe the navy in recent years has been
fully competent to take care of itself against any foe
whatsoever and to do it or short notice.
The policy of constructing two battleships year
is one which Congress has followed atterly. 1t has
been non-partisan. Democrats as we'll as Repub
cans have advocated it, This is not extravagant
policy as the policies of great nations 60. Even
der this policy, Germany has passed this country and
has become the second of the naval powers, ranking
next to Great Britain
The House Democratic leaders today may wei
sit down and ponder whether they have not done
something that will cost them heavily in the conf
dence of the country 1t is at least certain that this
is question not to be settled hastily in heated four
hour caucus and it is not question to be settled by
considerations of advantage or disadvantage in the
forthcoming elections Nothing has developed thus
far to show that the decision to cut off the battle
ships was based anything else than the notion that
to present show of alleged economy to the country
would be good thing for Democrats to talk about
on the stump next fall.
There are other issues before Congress which the
House Democratic leaders are dodging which are
much more vital to the country than the shutting
down of batteship appropriations.
This is the night that men prominent in the af-
fairs of the nation and the world ride their favorte
hobbies at the National Press Club From compara-
lively insignificant event this annual function has
grown in importance until it is an affair that at
tracts attention throughout the country The field of
starters this time is especially representative one,
and there should be plenty of enjoyment for the
members of this organization Of scribes.
If the shades of the departed really participate in
the af airs of this ransory existence how the spirit
of General Grant must chuckle as he learns of the
Wilson Harvey-W controversy and recalls his
historic remark that You can always count on the
Democratic party to make fool of itself in the hour
of victory"
Washington well afford to give warm well
come to the forty Australian boys who will arrive
February l8. To cultivate friendly relations with an
English-speakng nation on the other side of the
world whose land is as large ours, would be good
| policy.
Everybody will agree with the District Electric
Railway Commission that more street car lines are
| needed ir We. lptOn If the existing ComDanieS