New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-23
Reports Naval Budget Bill
with Increases Over
House Plans.
RAISES AEROPLANE
ITEM TO 100000
Senators Devote Day and Night
Sessions 10 Needs of
National Defence.


Washington. Feb. % Substantial IN,
creases in several items or the naval
snnropr;ation bill were made by the
Senate Naval Affairs Committee when
reported the measure 20 the Senate to-
night. The number Of seagoing subna-
rires authorized was increased from
one 10 FIVE and Of ordinary submarines
for coast defence from eight 10 sixteen
The item OF 100000 for seroplsnes IN
the House bill was increased TO sl,OOO,-
coo. 49,
The Senate committee approved the
abolition of the naval plucking board
but added the requirement that one
half the service Of every naval ofhcer
must be or sea duty.
The interest aroused by the activity
Of the submarines in the European war
WAS reflected to-day in proposed
amendment 10 the naval bill, offered by
Senator Smoot II provides for the
construction Of fifty seagoing subms,
rines az cost Of more than sl,OOOOOO
each and twenty-five ordinary suoma-
rineS.
The naval bill as reported carries q
total Of sl5296l ,9Sl SO, an increase
over the House bill Of ss.8l3,OSO. Be-
sides the additional submarines, pro-
vision is made for six or more de-
stroyers, one oil-fuel snip, one gunooat'
one hospital ship at 100000, and two
frst class battleships. Among the in
creases recommended are 100000 for a
proiectile plant, $4,000 for naval re-
station and Sl,000,0O0 20 be applied on
serve, S4OO, 900 for high power radio
construction of an srmor plate factory
not TO cost more than 100000, If the
Secretary Of the Navy cannot purchase
armor In the market at a reasonable
price. ~
Work on the appropriation bills was
rushed to-day by the Senate, which es-
tablished q record for speed by passing
the pension appropriation bill, carry
inp Sl64, 600 900. In four minutes. Work
on the army bill Jagged 70 such an ex-
tent, however, that the Senate sat un-
til late tonight. The army bill carries
about Sl03,000,000.
Senator Thomas, OF Colorado, de-
clsred il would be foolhardy for the
United States TO enter upon pro-
gramme of unlimited expenditure TO
prepare for war.
at is self-evident," said Senator
Thomas, that partial and half-
hearted scheme of national defence IS
little better than none at all. 10 De
defensively secure we must be ohen-
sively prepared We must be stronger
than the strongest force we have res-
son 70 fear, or we may be overwhe lined.
at follows that our national defence
requires a feet at least as powerful as
those Of Great Britain and France on
the atlantic and of Japan and Russia
on the Pacific in bsttleships, cruisers
torpedo boats, submarines and tor
pedoes. Our vessels should be superior
TO them in armor, speed and gun power.
ave should have a standing army OF
l,25O, 900 men and reserve of twice
chat many more. To this general land
and water equipment should be added
a feet on the lakes and Notifications
/ along our boundary and coast lines
wherever a landing in force or drive
across the border could be made or
expected. We should have not fewer
than 1000 aeroplanes, $50 dirigibles,
$4,000 automobile trucks and 10000
motorcycles"
Senator Brsndegee declared the doc
trne Senator Thomas preached was
nothing less than reasonable, saying:
at is well enough to talk about uni
versal peace in view Of the develop
ments Of the last three or four years,
but consider it idle chatter for any
body TO talk now as If the nations OF
the world had arrived at that state OF
piety where the Sermon on the Mount
would be the guide 10 national action.
II seems 20 be perfectly preposterous,
not only idle but criminal. for grown
men who know the history Of this
country &c talk in this way"