New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-20


The Vice President then laid before the senate
the Presidents message. with ACCOMPANYING
documents, on the subject of the outsages , on
Armenians in the Turkish Empire, and IL was
referred to the Committee on Foreign RELATIONS
SENATOR MoRGAN'S SPEECH.
The House bill approprating 100000 for the
expenses of the proposed commission to Nenez-
uela was laid before the Senate. and Mr.. Nor
gan Dem. Ala). chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations addressed the Senate on the
subject The Senate. he said. In considering a
question of such gravity ought 10 deliberate
as long as was proper ana necessary III olueI
to come TO an absolute correct judgment, ana
ne therefore favored the reference of the bill 10
the Committee Foreign Relations But ne
would object TO any such reference unless the
Senate agreed that 1t would take no recess uhs,I
the committee made its report. For, while ne
would hasten slowly in the matter he would
still make all necessary speed. 1t was a ques-
ton that was agitating the people or the onited
States and of the whole world; and delay would
give an opportunity for the formation or IN
correct opinions that might become unfortunate.
He preferred to have appropriate and neces-
sary deliberaton. He had doubts as 10
whether Congress intended to intervene IN
that which was diplomatic question. or whether
IL intended to leave TO the President or the
United States the full and unembarrassed eX-
crcse of his constitutional power in framing
and shaping the diplomatic question for the fu-
ture consideration of Congress. The division line
between the functions of Congress and of the
President was clear one. and was one which
he did not care TO cross by anticipation. AS
an illustration OF his meaning. he instanced
the case of Mr.. Blount. who was sent by the
Pre- sident as a special commissioner TO Hawaii
without nomination to or confirmation by the
Senate. That question was again involved IN
this matter. and ought TO be duly considered
and acted on.
1t was for the Senate to determine whether 1t
would interfere in the matter legislatively now
or whether 1t would leave IL where the President
desired (as indicated in his message) 1t to be left
in the hands of the Executive. There was no diff
ference Of opinion. he believed between President
and Congress 10 the promptitude with which
the question ought TO be settled He believed
that the President and Congress in entire
accord SO far as the Monroe Doctrine was con-
cerned. that was settled by the action Of the Ex-
ecutive, at least, and the conclusions reached by
the Executive on II woud be absolutely and une-
quivocally confirmed. He did not at all. he
thought, mistake the sense of Congress or of the
people of the United States on that subject The
question OF the application OF the doctrine TO the
present case was one which was settled by the
Presidents message quite concusively. But
1t was not settled absolutely. The Government
has passed now to an attitude on the Monroe
doctrine that would crafty, he thought. the
present generation Of men and all generations of
Americans who might live hereafter. 1T was an
assertion Of the right of the United States as the
controlling nationality on this continent. 1t has
been made and would stand as the law of the
United states He was incapable of expressing
the gratifca ton he felt that question which had
been so long debated had at last received such a
ciear-cut definition. He could never express his
so entirely COMFORTING with the dignity and honor
Of the Government of the United States with Its
prestige among the nations of the world and
with the sentiment of all the people Of the coun-
try.
MR.. SHERMAN DOES NOT FEAR WAR
Mr.. Sherman Rep, Ohio, who is to be Mr.
Morgans successor as-chairmaH OF the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations. was the first speaker
He expressed hi; general assent to Mr. Morgans
daH Droe
but favored a reference OF the House bill to the
Committee on Foreign Relations and It's deliber-
ate consideration by that committee and by the
Senate. The bill, as passed by the House, should
be, he said, amended, defined and limited. He
Endorsed the Monroe D0ctrine,' but argued that
its application to a specific case was matter OF
the gravest importance 10 the United States ana
10 the world. The controversy was a serious one,
but he had no doubt that the question would be
settled peaceably. An assertion should be made
Of the right Of the United States to prevent Euro
pean Powers from invading the American Con-
tinent and treating it as they treated Africa and
Asia. America now settled In every part by
people Of European origin-England having the
greatest interest.
Under the circu as ances," Mr.. Sherman de-
clared. II do not expect that war will ensue
do not contemplate, or wish to contemplate the
possibility Of such an evert. have seen enough
Of war In my time TO dread its principles and its
consequences. do not wish In the slightest de-
gree 10 say word that would indicate that a war
was likely to ensue about this small matter At
United States did right In taking the ground that
il is our duty. as the most powerful Of American
Nations. to say to the countries Of Europe: These
two continents are already occupied by Chris
tian people, ana we are willing to see that their
rights shall not be trampled upon by European
Powers AS matter of course we cannot inter-
fere in any agreement made between Venezuela
and Great Britain to the boundary be-
tween Venezuela and British Guiana; but
have map here tpointing to III which
shows repeated encroachments made by Great
Britain. This is a serious controversy, and
Great Britain has taken the ground that
she will not even submit 1t to arbitration.
Now | think that the British people when they
understand this matter when they see that It has
attracted the attention of the civilized world.
will not Insist upon thai refusal especially when
1t Is recoected that the Monroe Doctrine was
not, perhaps much the doctrine OF Monroe as
it was the doctrine of Mr.. Canning the English
Prime Minister
while are In no hu. ry. do nos wish this
matter TO pend beyond the present session. But
! do think that the bill ought to be referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations and that 1t
should be acted upon promptly. Let that COM
mittee hear suggestions OF amendment TO the
House bill II all amendments be voted down by
the committee and the Senate and If they choose
to take the House bill, well and good. We will
pass H. But demand the right of the Senate
to consider grave a proposition this, and
not TO be hurried in its consideration 1t is sup
posed that slow-moving body. Well
ought TO be- This dill ought to be referred
to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
committee should be instructed to report IT back
Say tomorrow, or at any other time necessary
and let II then be discussed In the Senate. If
the committee reports that amendments are nee
essary. and II the Senate adopts those amend
ments. have no doubt that the House will also
agree to Them and If the committee does not
port any amendments. the Senate viii pass the
bill as IL came from the House That will show
no haste no excitement
THE GRAVITY OF THE QUESTION
Mr.. Lodge CRep.. Mass) said that it would be
difficult TO exaggerate the gravity of the Ques-
ton involved In the bill. II seemed to him that
the proper course for the Senate 10 take with
such an important matter was the usual course
to send the bill TO the Committee on Foreign
Relations and to instruct that committee to re-
port at once-to-morrow If the Senate so pleased.
He did not think that Congress ought TO adjourn
for the holidays until the bill disposed OF.
He had not the least desire to delay action. on
the contrary, he wished TO expedite IL in every
possible way. But he thought that action taken
hull In ifc inn and mn.