NAVAL VOLUNTEERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1677, 19 February 1906, Page 2

NAVAL VOLUNTEERS.

PROPOSAL DISCUSSED IN UNITED STATES.

Bj telegraph, Press A«s’n, Copyright Reoeived 4.23 p.m., Feb. 18. New York, Feb. 17. President Roosevelt favors a campaign in support of Senator Gallinger’s Bill when it reaohes the House of .Representatives. The opponents are ohiefiy spokesmen of the Inland West. They describe the Bill as mainly favorable to the interests of the Atlantic and Facifio Coasts.

The Senate of the United States, by 38 to 27, passed the Shipping Bill, promoted by Senator Jaoob Gallinger, for creating a naval volnnteer fleet, and establishing Ametican mail services to foreign markets. The Bill provides for the payment of subsidies to oertain classes of merchantmen and fishing vessels in retain far tbeir use for national defence. Subsidies also are to be given for carrying mails, and to encourage the enlistment of men in volun- j teer Daval corps. At least one-sixth of the crews of the subsidised vessels are to be Amerioan citizens. Repairs to the vessels are to be done in America.

The Bill originally proposed a bounty of sdo's per gross repnted ton for all vessels | sailing for a period of 12 months and a reduced soale for those at sea for a less period. This clause was rejected by the Senate a few days ago. The remaining clauses provided for an annua! subsidy of 150,000d01s for steamers to act in time of war as auxiliary cruisers to tho navy, and 666,250 dollars for mail subsidies, end iucreases of subsidy to existing lines, including the Sin Francisoo-Australia line.