New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-14
ASSA|LS DEMOCRATS
FOR NAVY TREATMENT
Secretary Meyer Says House
Majority Has Shown Bad
Faith and InefficienCy.
PARTY PLATFORM IGNORED
Plank Pledging an Adequate
Navy Contrasted with Demo
cratic Action on the APP
preparation Bill.
From The Tribune Bureau. !


Washington. Aug. 13.-Bad faith and in
efficiency of the House Democrats are
scored by the Secretary OF the Navy in a
statement given out to-day regarding the
Democratic attitude toward the desire OF
the, Navy Department to maintain an
adequate navy.
Secretary Meyer calls attention to the
fact that the action OF Democrats in Con-
gress has repudiated the platform adopt
ed by the Democratic convention In Balti-
more, thus demonstrating their utter dis
regard for party promises The imme-
date cause Of Mr.. Meyers statement was
the striking out Of the provision for the
rational defence in the navy appropria-
ton bill In the Senate on point OF order
made by a Democratic Senator.
The country is now watching the Dem
ocratic party TO learn whether II pur-
poses beginning its campaign by repu-
dating one OF the most important planks
in it's platform" said Secretary Mayer.
after quoting the plank referred to: An
adequate and we'll proportioned navy"
Danger Of the American navy falling
into fifth place among the nations OF the
world in the event Of Congress providing
for only one new battleship was pointed
out by Secretary Meyer. who said the
present position could only be recovered
In such case by an appropriation for three
battleships at the next session OF Con-
gress. He continued:
1t Is q well known maxim admitted by
all, that the Monroe Doctrine is no
stronger than the navy, that the navy Is
no stronger than the feet and that the
feet Ia the navy.
that Il the Democrats cannot be relied
upon TO maintain the efficiency OF the
navy, and thus be prepared TO uphold
national honor. they Intend 10 show their
disapproval OF the party's action by vot-
ing against II AT the coming election.
Referring to the proposal Of Senator
Tillman for the United States TO con-
struct a monster battieship. the greatest
war vessel anoat. to be known as the
Terror. Secretary Meyer declared II was
simply an attempt to distract attention
from the delinquency OF the Democratic
party with reference 10 the continued en-
cheney and upkeep OF the navy. since
what il proposed Is nothing more than
what is already required by every act OF
late years making appropriations for ad-
ditions to the feet"
II is asserted by Mr.. Meyer that all
acts making appropriations require that
the battleships TO he constructed shall
carry as heavy arTnor and az powerful
armament as any vessel OF their class,
and shall have the highest practicable
speed and the greatest practicable radius
OF action.
The plank in the Democratic platform
referred TO by Secretary Meyer. and APP
parently ignored by members OF the
party in Congress. reads as follows:
We approve the measure reported by
the Democratic leaders In the House OF
Representatives for the creation or q
council Of national defence, which shali
determine definite naval programme
with view OF increasing efficiency and
economy. The party that proclaimed
and has always enforced the Monroe
Doctrine and WAS sponsor for the new
navy will continue faithfully 10 observe
the constitutional requirements to pro,
vide and maintain an adequate and well
proportional navy. sufficient g defend
American policies. protect Gu citizen
and uphold the honor and dignity or the
nation
Taking up the caucus OF the House
Democrats. Secretary Meyer said:
We have the spectacle this year or a
Democratic caucus of the House OF Rep
resentatives putting a gag rule on It's
members and thus preventing them from
voting for a patriotic appropriation, the
purposes OF which were national defence
and national honor. Certain Democratic
mem Sers. under the leadership OF Mr.
Sulzer, are already endeavoring TO have
the caucus rescind It's mo battleship
programme" in order TO sanction each
Democrat in the House in voting accord
ing to his conscience.
1t remains to be seen whether the
Democratic party places local interests
ahead OF patriotism. whether the pork
barrel" Is to be considered as of more
importance than the navy.