The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-19
CLARK FOR
HAY MILITARY BILL
Republican Leader Mann Declares
1t Obviously Inadequate Even
for Miniature War.

Washington. March Is.-General
debate on the Hay Army bill In the
House ended today with a wide d.
vergenee of views as to its merits.
Jnlooked-for clashes of opinion
among leaders characterized the de-
bate throughout the day. Speaker
Champ Clark ended the ten-houra OF
oratory with an unqualified endorse
ment of the bill shortly after II Dad
been denounced by Republican yrsad-
er Mann as utterly inadequate.
An amendment by Representative
Kahn. of California. to increase the
army to 22o 600 men was left pend
ing when the House adjourned.
Representative Kahn declared in
favor of the bill. but later voted for
an amendment offered by Represen-
tative Gardner. increasing the pri-
Yates In the Coast Artillery Corps by
5000 over the number authorized by
the bill. This amendment. after
hot discussion between Mr.. Hay and
Mr.. Gardner. was defeated. An
amendment offered by Representative
Fields. OF Kentucky, raising the rank
and pay Of the chief of coast ar.if-e
lery from brigadier- general to major
general was agreed to without objec-
ton Brigadief General Erasmus
Weaver now occupies the post
Speaker Clark ON Floor.
Speaker Clark said in part:
Chairman Hay and his COMMITTEES
On military affairs deserve the eor--
dial thanks not only OF the House.
but of the whole country for tring-
ing In a bin so sensible, so compre-
hensive and so satisfactory to rea-
sonabIe men. The most pleasing and
important feature of their actions is
that they did 1t by unanimous vote OF
that great committee. Democrats and
Republicans working together in q
brotheriy and patriotic spirit. This
is another illustration of a theory
have long inaintained--that when
there Is any great question up IN this
House nearly affecting the honor,
glory and safety OF the republic. poll
tics has no place here.
Here and there will be found one
who thinks this bin goes far enough
and one who thinks it goes too far:
but the average American Will endorse
II. And the average American consti-
tutes the strength and glory of the
republic.
II will not discuss in detail the pro-
visions OF this bill That has beea
done by the members OF the Commit
tee on Military Affairs who know
men of ability and Integrity who have
devoted years of hard labor and pains
taking study to the army and mat
ters pertaining thereto, ! have faith
in these men and / cheerfully accept
their conclusions They have done the
best thing possible under the circum-
stances and il would be presumptuous
in me to undertake TO tinker with
their handiwork
Pm la, .taI
propositions on which the vast major
ity of the American people are agreed
First they want peace. but not peace
at any price; they want peace with
honor
Want No ARMED Camp
Second. they do not intend to see
this country turned into an armed
camp. They are unaIterably opposed.
always have been and forever will be
until the republic Is on its last legs,
to a large standing army because,
they know full we'll that In other
countries huge standing armies have
been the Instruments OF despotien.
Third, they are not willing to bank
rupt the country in military ana naval
preparations. They are. however. will
Ing to spend all that IL necessary for
the public defense.
Fourth. they are almost to . man
Against COnACFtpuCui III hiuies u peace,
but they are for It should Il become
necessary Ia times of war.
fifth. while proud of the record Of
our small army In all cur wars, they
have always depended upon our volun-
teere TO do most of our fighting ana
they glory in the vaior OF our voiun-
teers on hundreds OF historic zelda.
Sixth. they have no desire or am-
billion to have our country pose m d
great military power ana they have
no intention Of seeing II A. helpless
~ China. They know beyond pread-
venture that great rich country with
out the means OF defense u q con-
mankind
Eevenths hi view or ait tbese fnrtxs
hefIefn observations ana desires. the
Hveraxp American n ID favor nc relk+