Evening star., 1916-07-20
SEES NO NECESSITY
FOR PREPAREDNESS
Senator La Toilette Resumes
His Attack on Naval Ap-
preparation Bill.
EXHAUSTED EUROPE NO
MENACE TO AMERICA"
Says Proposed Doubling of Expedi.
lures for Military Purposes Is
Actuated by Selfish Interests.

Actuated by Selfish Interests.
The naval bill was before the Senate
today. an attack by Senator La Toilette
on the measure delaying a vote yester-
day. Resumfng the attack today. Sena-
| tor La Toilette reiterated his declara-
ton that the proposed doubling of ex-
| penditures for military purposes had
| been actuated by selfish interests in
stead of patriotism, and asserted that
| there was not a military. economic or
/, political reason to warrant the pro-
posed appropriations.
THE logic of the whole world situa-
tion is against necessity for these pro-
| posed increases" he said. The great
| nations of the world with their devas-
| tation and exhaustion Of resources in
the past year have made it impossible
for them to become menace to Amer
| ica."
Way to Assure Democratic Victory.
Discussing the Mexican problem,
| Senator La Toilette said that Presi-
| dent Wilson would be overwhelmingly
reelected if the issue between him and
!
| tion in Mexico to protect American in
vestments.
| The senator made this assertion
stood with the President against in
| tervention in Mexico
Would Not Stand Behind Investors.
| L sincerely hope" Senator La Fol-
lette said. that the standard bearer Of
the republican party In the coming
campaign Will not feel himself con-
strained to take the position that 1t is
the duty of the government to put the
flag Of the United States behind in
vestors in Mexico.
President Wilson declared in his De-
troft speech that he would not stand
Tor that principle and that he would
vestork in Mexico. The American peo-
pie, II the issue is made between the
| republican candidate and Mr.. Wilson
on that proposition will stand over
whelmin9ly by the President"
Began His Attack Yesterday.
Senator La Toilette began his attack
on the navy bill late yesterday after
noon. when the Senate was ready to
vote on the measure. He was speaking
on an amendment proposed by him
which would prohibit the use of navy
vessels to coerce or compel Mexico or
any Central OF South American coun-
try to pay claims which American citi-
sons or corporations might have
gainst that country or countries He
made an attack on the general pre-
paredness program as the product OF
agitation by moneyed interests. aided
by the metropolitan press
Senator La Toilette contended vigor-
ously that neither conditions confront
| ing the nation nor the testimony given
before the congressional naval commit
tee warranted the proposed navy in
creases.
Adds $s44, 100000 to Taxes.
| "A total of sS44,0oO, 900 is the load that
goes on the bended backs of the Ameri-
can people," he declared. "Why is this
to be done? If it is necessary now,
why was 1t not necessary four years
ago? You knew then what was the
naval and military strength of all of
the foreign countries. But the inter-
ests had not been appealed to then.
Bethlehem Steel at 40 was not Bethle-
hem Steel at $40, The interests behind
this preparedness plan do not fear Ger
many or England. The plan merely fits
into their imperialistic schemes"
The senator charged that men had
| been forced into preparedness parades
| under threats of having their wages
reduced. WorkinRmen in WASHINGTON.
| he said. had told him they marched in
| the demonstration here for that reason.
The larger newspapers of the country,
he declared. were Influenced by the ad-
vertising of the Interests" behind the
preparedness propaganda to devote
| most space to the testimony of wit
| nesses before the congressional COM
| mittee who favored preparedness
"A cheap skate of business man ca
get a column and half on the front
page if he will boost preparedness" he
shouted. but Gen. Weaver, who speaks
| against it, cannot get line. These
newspapers sell their editorial good
will along with their advertising. It
costs something to say that, but for
| some years 1 have stood ready to pay
the price"
Says Navy Is in Good Shape.
Senator La Toilette quoted voIumt-
nously from reports of the committee
hearings to prove that the navy is in
better shape than preparedness advo-
Gates make it appear. He insisted that
it is stronger than Germany's navy,
and pointed out that Germany, with
navy about half as large as Englands,
had been able to prevent an invasion
of her territory
Senators Oliver and Penrose, speak
ing against the armor plate plan pro-
posal insisted that it simply would
mean a waste of money now that the
Bethlehem Steel Company had offered
to furnish plate at price to be set
by the federal trade commission
ut would be little less than GRIM
inal to spend the amount proposed for
a plant at this time," Senator Oliver
declared.
feated a motion to strike out the sec
ton, and then voted down, 40 to 16. the
oliver amendment to refer the armor
controversy to the federal trade COM
mission for settlement.
HURL STONES TO HALT
STRONG ITALIAN ATTACKS
BERLIN, July 20. by wireless to Say
vile, N Y.-Hurling stones down the
mountain sides. the Austrians repulsed
three strong Italian attacks near Borcola
pass, the ofYicial statement issued yester-
-, Of Wanna renorts The annnunce-