Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-29
SPEECH OF UNITED STATES sen.
ATOR ROBERT M. LA FOL-
LETTE ON THE NAVAL
RTTI.

| Mr.. President, we are about to pass
| in the congress of the United States
military program that will impose
upon the people of this nation the
greatest tax burden for an alleged pre-
paredness against an alleged danger
that has eyer been known in any
country at peace with all the world.
Sir, one year ago congress appro-
priated for all military purposes-that
is to say, for the army, the navy, the
coast defenses (fortifications), the
Military Academy, the Naval Academy.
and pensions-the total sum of s429,-
234. SIS.
And now, within the short space of
II months, for precisely the same mill
tary purposes, it is proposed that we
shall appropriate $S44 ,319, 49,,
Mr.. President, there is not a man in
the United States senate who would
have had the hardihood one year ago
to propose such an increase or to sug-
gest an appropriation of such magni-
tude for military purposes. And
there is not senator on this floor
who would have dared to vote for such
an appropriation-not one.
And yet one year ago the European
war was at high tide. Then, as now,
we contemplated with horror the spec
tacle Of one-half the people of the
world at the throats of their fellow
men; and everything that could strike
terror to the hearts of human beings
was taking place on the battle fields
across the Atlantic Everything that
could appeal to the congress of the
United States to make an extravagant
and unprecedented expenditure of the
peoples money for military purposes
existed IL months ago just as much as
it exists now. But at that time $429,-
100000 was appropriated 1t is pro-
posed practically to double that ap-
preparation now. What has occurred
to change the perspective?
l will tell you, Mr.. President, what
occurred since The stage has been
set, the scenery has been put in place,
the music has been attuned. the cur
tain has been run up, everything that
could possibly play upon the emo
tons of the American people has been
set to work and paid for in order that
this result might be produced: Picture
shows; works of fiction, running SER
tally in the magazines: advertise
ments; editorials. alleging that our
country is in danger from foreign
foe; the columns of the newspapers
given over to a spurious propaganda.
and all with the definite object of ter
rorizing the public and forcing the en-
actment of legislation for the great
and naval program now be-
fore the congress.
| see about me many senators who
represent the states where there are
great ammunition plants. The larger
the appropriations for military pur-
poses the better satisfied are these
senators. But how about the taxpay-
ers who make no profits out Of the
manufacture of munitions of %ar?
Eight hundred and fOrty-four million
dollars is the measure of the load
which goes upon the Bonded backs of
the American people this year, and
why? If it is necessary now, why was
1t not necessary one year ago? You
had all the military power of Germany.
all the military power of England. of
France, of Russia, of Italy. of Austria
Hungary. full in your eye at that time. |
You knew their battIeships: Won
knew their naval strength. Why did |
you not then propose this great in
crease in appropriations for the army
and navy?