New-York tribune., 1916-06-02
Pacifsts, Little Navy Men
and Defence Advocates
Rally TO Its Support.
BIG STICK RAISED
FOR SHIP BUILDERS
House Provides $6,000,000 TO
Equip Yards for Construction
of Vessels Authorized.

Washington, June Am unsuecess-
full fight was led by Representative
Gardner, Of Massachusetts,. to-day
against the section Of the naval bill
embracing the Hensley resolution au-
thorizing participation by the United
States in the establishment Of an in
ternationsl court for the enforcement
of peace. The section was retained
without q rolleall in the House sitting
as a committee Of the whole.
Pacifsts,. so-called little navy" men
and many advocates Of general pre-
psredness rallied 10 the support of the
section. Speaker Clark took the floor
and aroused enthusiasm by declaring
the section was the best feature of the
bill.
The Hensley section Of the bill pro-
vides for the appointment of nine men
by the President. at the close Of the
Euzopean war, 70 enter into negotia-
tions with other countries for the es-
tablishment of an international court
20 enforce peace. II was placed in the
bill as a compromise when il appeared
that the opponents of a greater navy
would not support the committee meas
ure.
Representative Gardner declared the
plan could not be carried out and that
IL the United States had been a party
10 such an agreement in 1914 Congress
would not have voted TO send the coun-
try's quota Of 100000 men abroad TO
aid in the enforcement of peace.
Wouldn't Yield Monroe Doctrine.
Mr.. Gardner wanted to know whether
the United States would arbitrate the
Monroe Doctrine if il were assaIed
the Chinese question and others. That
brought the Speaker to his feet.
81 wouldn't take the time of this
committee if ! did not believe that this
is the most important section Of this
bill" said the Speaker. "The gentle
man from Massachusetts, wants TO
know if we would ever arbitrate the
Monroe Doctrine. No. we never will
arbitrate it while the earth spins on
its axis. 1t is the only political propo-
sition that all the American people
ever did agree on.
ale wants 10 know IL we will ever
arbitrate questions of war and peace.
No. | hope We never will be engaged
in another war, and if we attend 70 our
own business 7 don't think we ever
will No nation is foolish enough to
attack us, and II one does, 1t Will get
whipped.
II don't believe that great nations
will stand much longer for the policy
of piling up armament on land ana
sea. This policy has TO come TO an
end. and il will only come TO an end
by conferences. We are the people 20
make this suggestion. We are the
richest nation. we have the largest
homogeneous population and we are
not afraid Of anybody
An amendment offered by Represen-
tative Bennett. Of New York, looking
70 the immediate appointment Of dele
gates 70 an international peace court,
was defeated by a large majority.
Big Stick for Shipbuilders.
big stick was raised over the
shipbuilding yards Of the country when
an amendment TO the bill was adopted
providing that, in the event bids can
not be obtained for the speedy con-
struction Of the ships authorized within
a reasonable length Of time, the gov
eminent is empowered TO spend S6,OOO,-
600 TO put the navy yards in condition
20 build the ships themselves.
The amendment specifies that the
shipbuilding facilities shall be installed
If the private builders do not make
satisfactory cfers for construction-in
the yards at Puget Sound, Philadelphia,
Norfolk, Boston, Portsmouth. Charles
ton and New Orleans. Chairman Padgett
had another sentence added to the
amendment providing that, Of these,
Puget Sound, Philadelphia Norfolk and
Boston should be equipped for the con-
struction of capital ships.
An amendment to encourage enlist
ing in the navy, and at the same time
tend TO create q large reserve more
quickly, by reducing the term of en-
listment from four to three years, was
adopted. Il provided also that man
could be discharged after not less than
one years service, providing he should
90 into the reserve for the remainder
of his enlistment
Chairman Padgett assured the House
that the navy could enlist all the men
il needed now, and that the Secretary
had told him if Congress did not hurry
up and authorize the increased per
sonnel he would have TO stop enlist
ments.
The final vote will be taken on the
bill tomorrow afternoon. Most of the
Republican members plan to vote with
their packed travelling cases near at
hand and then rush from the chamber
TO trains for Chicago.