Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-09-01
Big Navy Bill Mas Provision For
Peace.

Wnen the senate ana Rouse came TO-
gether and agreed upon President Wilson's
Navy appropriation bill thrill Of patriot
ism went round the country.
A noteworthy provision Of this univer-
sally approved measure lies in that para
graph which empowers the President to
suspend construction OF the colossal navy
II an international agreement limiting
ornaments can be effected at the close
Of the present war.
So. after all. this bill for national pre-
paredness makes for peace.
In the momentary impulse OF patriotism
caused by this long step toward defense it
may have been overlooked by many that
the Navy Appropriation bill. while under
going the changes made in conference.
had a good strong olive branch tackled on
it. and while it will put this country in
position, as Admiral Dewey has said. to
stand up before any sea power on the
globe. il carries, too. specific provision
for the preservation Of worldwide peace.
The text Of these provisions reveals the
plan Of the Administration to work for in
ternational disarmament and also shows
that big economies might even be effected
in the appropriations Of 1915. The new
paragraph reads as follows:
Upon the conclusion OF the war in Eu-
rope. or as soon as il may be done. the
President of the United States is author
lied TO invite all the great governments Of
the world to send representatives to con-
ference which shall be charged with the
duty of suggesting an organization, a court
Of arbitration or other body. to which dis
puted questions between nations shall be
referred for adjudication and peaceful set
Element and to consider the question Of dis
armament and submit their recommended
tions to their respective Governments for
approval The President is hereby author
lied TO appoint nine citizens of the United
States who in his judgment shall be quail
fed for such duty to be representatives of
the United States in such conference. =.
The President is authorized to fix the COM
pensation Of the commissioners. A sum
Of 100000 is appropriated to carry into
effect this provision.
IF at any time before the appropriations
authorized by this act shall have been
contracted for there shall have been estab-
lished. with the cooperation Of the United
States of America. an International tribu-
nal or tribunals. competent to secure peace
full determination Of all International dis
putes, and which shall render unnecessary
the maintenance Of competitive arma-
ments. then and in that case such naval
expenditures as may be inconsistent with
the engagements made in the establish
ment Of such tribunal or tribunals may be
suspended when so ordered by the Presi.
dent of the United States"
This naval appropriation bill may moi
only be the last Of such size ever TO be
passed for armament. but ii Is entirely
possible, as may be seen from the above
quoted paragraphs, that much Of the money
authorized for naval construction may
never be spent at all.
However, the bill has been passed. and
President Wilson is the toast Of the Nation
for the story is well known how he Got In
behind Congress when there came split
between Senate and House how he urged
upon the conferees to hold out for the
larger appropriation Of the Senate and
how finally partisanship was laid aside
and patriotic Progressves and some patri.
otto Republicans all joined in unity Of
aim and unity Of ambition with the
Democrats and unstintingly put aside more
millions for warships than had ever been
dreamed OF before by the most ardent
apostles Of Preparedness.
This is one Of the greatest triumphs Of
the President. He is being hailed with
braves by the editorial writer's of the
country without regard to party. Even
the Republican press is clamoring to be
heard in commentator.
Il pleases our good old friend Admiral
Dewey-this big navy plan. I'VE have
made the right start" he said the Other
day, when told that the conferees had
come together and the House had ratified
the Senate's increase. THE bill is the
best naval measure in my opinion, said
the hero Of Manila, Congress has eveI
enacted"
BY a vote Of 2S3 to 81 the Senate
amendment for the construction Of sixteen
capital ships within three years was up.
proved in the House.
The Naval Appropriation bill, carrying
provisions for $3i5.S26.s4S. or $45.s57.-
5Bs more than the House had recon-
mended. passed the Senate July 81. Then
came the struggle between cOnferees. Presi-
dent Wilson Immediately set to work to
urge the passage OF the larger apprOpria-
ton. The conferees had several sessions.