New-York tribune., 1916-07-18
Despite Opposition in
Both Parties, Measure
Likely to Win.
CAIN QUOTED IN
JAB AT WILSON
Senator Borah Attacks Failure
TO Protect American
Citizens.
lYrnn n. rrihune Rurau ]

Washington. July IA fight over
the bill for bigger navy developed
in the Senate to-day when Senators
Thomas and Vardamsn Democrats
and Senators Works and Norris (Re-
publicans) joined in opposition to the
programme for building sixteen cap
ital ships in the next three years.
Senator Borah. of Idaho, in urging
the measure, attacked the Wilson
policies by inference. Despite the
opposition, it is believed by Senate
leaders that the bill will pass to-mor-
row.
An amendment offered by Senator
Norris TO postpone the carrying out
Of the naval building programme until
after the close Of the European war
was tabled, as 10 IL.
Senator Nardaman cautioned against
expenditures Of such vast sums for
armament until the country's COOL
normal judgment could be consulted.
Senator Thomas opposed the construc-
tion of so many big ships and urged
that submarines and aircraft would be
sufficient protection for nation
which does not contemplate offensive
warfare.
Senator Works predicted that pas
sage Of the naval bill would marx
change in military policy that would
overturn the peaceful spirit OF Amer
ics.
Borah Attacks Wilson.
Senator Borah, in advocating the
bill drew by analogy a compari-
son with Cain in his denial that he
was his brothers keeper. Senator
Borah said:
"The loss of life, the murder Of
a citizen. the insecurity of a member
of a republic, the assassination Of
member of a republic endangers the
very sense of security and the safety
of every member Of that republic, and
Just in proportion as we make good
when a human life which claims
allegiance 10 this flag is attacked, just
in that proportion will our own safety
and our own security be accentuated
and strengthened
THE Lord said unto Cain, Where
is Abel, thy brother? and he said, i
know not. Am my brothers keeper
ain government. as well as in morals.
] am my brothers keeper Upon that
principle this republic was organized,
that obligation was built and morticed
into every portion Of this government
under which more than a century and
a quarter ago we began TO work out
our salvation as people What
re Na-kaf eFranrfh what
manding power that has given TO this
government all men know. Take it
away, abandon 1t, and the whole splen
did fabric, crumbling, falls. Without
it the traditions which we have so
long cherished and consulted become
false and misleading. The great
charter under which we have lived
and strengthened becomes solemn
and stately falsehood. Without it the
achievements of American history
lose their inspiration and the great
names which adorn our story grow
dim and fade.
Cannot Escape the Burden.
"You can no more take that great
principle out of our Republic abandon
it and remain a republic. united and
civilized community. than you can
block religion from the thoughts of men
and escape the devastation that would
result. So, in this great hour which
tests and tries all forms of government
and the courage and the patriotism OF
all men. let us not make the mistake of
seeking to escape responsibility through
the side arches of compromise and the
by-paths of expediency. Let US take the
broad, open way, the way of courage
and Justice, over which our fathers trod,
even in the hour of adversely, and never
leave IL.
"Let us declare. once and for all. as a
people that we will shrink not at all
from defending our own land and by
sea wherever they may be found. Let
us say 10 the nations of the earth that
we love peace. that we cOvet their
friendship. that we covet their regard,
but that even these things cannot be
purchased at the price of American citi-
zenship. And, having so declared and so
believing as a people. let us take some
few dollars from these profits of ours,
so plethoric, TO meet the responsible
ties which rest upon great nation and
upon great people.
Believes II Means Peace.
weakness Is source of war. and
an in favor of great navy, of strong
navy. not because / believe less than
my brothers in the desirabilty of peace,
but because ! believe 10 is a means of
peace would rather pay a few dollars
for safety than a few thousand in mis-
cry and in sacrifice | would rather ad-