The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-28
SEEK PEACE-BUT
PREPARE -SHERLEY
LaWmaker Would Go Ahead
With Defense Program
Despite Hopes.
SPEECH ARoUSES INTEREST
Presidents Action Discussed In
Defense of 1000. 900
Notifications Bill.
SPEECH ARoUsEs INTEREST

Hope Of universal peace through the
efforts OF the President err others
should not deter this nation from pro-
eeedihg with its program Of prepar-
edneSs IL the belief Of Congressman
swagar sherley, chairman Of the
appropriations subcommittee which
reported the 10000, 900 Notifications
bill.
Defending this bill in the House
late yesterday, ConEressmAn Sherley
pointed out the necessity OF defending
the ext0hdsd coast lines Of the Unit>S
states, although the nation may hope
for q universal peace. Until such
peace Il assured, bar, Sherley con-
tended, the preparedness program
should not be hated.
Gets Close Attsntion.
In speech which received the close
attention Of the House and was de-
voted both. to an explanation Of the
bill and q discussion Of the peace
movement Is initiated by President
Wilson, Congressman Sherley said:
The proposals that have been aug-
= gestSd by the President are so tre-
mendou6 and involve such far-reach-
ing consequepees and such marked
departureS from the historic position
taken by this country from its Begin
ming, that he Is brave man indeed
who with q few days consideration
Of the subject 10 now Pre- pared to give
his final Judgment" said Mr.. Sher-
ley. ut seems 70 me peculiarly q
time when men should keep their
minds open to the truth, willing to
aklnAAW2 = nHa1nAaalvaA nAv
yietlons, but withuot an inclination
to rush into new ones without
thorough examination of all that is
involved thereby.
Urges Against Neglect.
"But whether we, are to come into
universal peace that all men hope
for, and some men believe probable,
or not, whether we are to get that
peace through the method that has
been yugHeSted by the President, or
not, for one have not felt that we,
charged with the defenses OF our
country could afford, to neglect that
defsnse because Of q belief or a hope
that defense would not be neces-
sary.
Elm the preparation OF this bill it
has been the purpose to continue the
policy that1was adopted last year. OF
undertaking such Improvements In
connection with our seacoast defenses
and such additions to our robile ar
EnameHts as would put this country
In { better position for defense and
for the protection of its rights, IL need
be. 49,
- -, ------- Crs9sest Prize.
THE United States has not only
the greatest coastline of any nation
. in the world TO protect, infinitely
greater than any nation or almost any
S combination OF any of the great ma
tions, but Il has q wealth AID q pop
: ulation that makes its position In
the world that Of primary among all
the nations.
"And while some men believe that
because Of its size It. Is In no danger
from attack anywhere, I have not
believed that mere size was guaran-
tee OF freedom from war.
And ] unfortunately have been
forced to know that the business Of
the motives OF q nation are not a
guarantee against war and CONFLICT
with others"
SSeyOo0y00o to he Spent.
Mr.. sherIey in explaining the appro-
priations for fortifcations, declared
that the policy started at the last SEES
sion contsmplates an expenditures of
t0o, coo, 900 for the defenses of the con-
z tInehtai United States, Hawaii. Pan
anna, and the Philippines during q
period OF four years.
He declared appropriations in the
bill for armament and ammunition in
: the army had to be increased % per
cent over last year on account of the
rising prices OF material
One Of the provisions OF the bill, he
said, 10 for hydro-aeroplanes, which
would be Of far greater -beneht than
searehlights in locating an attacking
feet. He said these airships could be
equipped with flares and could rise
over the feet and still be beyond
range OF guns, whereas searchllghts
cannot but help give the attacking
forces an idea Of the location Of the
forts.