The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-02
Senate Concludes Consideration
of Amendments.
SOUTHERN CLAIMS EXEMPTED.
Too Much Power Is Conferred on
the Prcsident-chandi~ Hesffafes
To Join Hands With . Country
That Trains Its Guns Against the
Cr~fsn Pnsrios.-Caba Again Tn
der Consideraf.on-


DAY In executive session concluded its
consideration Of all amendments 20 the
Arbitration treaty. TIE voting on addi-
tionai amendments began at o'clock al
ter three hours of general debate. and in
the hour and half which followed about
a dozen propositions we're passed upon.
Two only were adopted. except some max
Ing verbal changes. OF those adopted. ene
offered by Bacon, exempts the claims
against Southern states from the opera
tons OF the treaty. and the other. intro
duced by Morgan, eliminates article 8
Of the treaty
Much of the debate OF the day turned
upon these amendments. Their support
ers contended that under the constitution,
state claims could not be made the sub
5ect OF negotiation under a treaty. The
point was also made that the claims
against the Southern states were con-
tracted during the period Of reconstruc-
tion and were not legitimate obligations.
II was held. on the other hand that un-
der the amendments already adopted Il
would be impossible TO hold the Southern
claims subject TO the treaty. Gray and
Lindsay presented the latter view.
Many OF the amendments voted down
were directed 70 putting limitations on the
first article. Propositions Of this charac-
ter were made by Butler. Chiffon and
Bacon. and all were rejected by the uni
form majority OF hve. This was the result
OF a preconcerted move 20 sustain the
committee Of foreign relations. which took
a position against further amending this
article
Buffers amendment is a fair specimen
Of others offered 10 this article. He
moved 10 add the words treaty or con-
vention" 20 the article. making IL provide
for the submission TO arbitration Of all
quest ions IN difference incapable CT set
tlement by diplomatic negotiation, treaty
or convention. Butler explained his pur-
pose 10 be 10 avoid n construction OF the
language OF the treaty as IL now stands.
which would permit the settlement Of all
international disputes by diplomatic ne
gotia.ions. and aging that willful chief
executive might refuse 10 bring any inter-
national controversy 10 the attention OF
the senate for its cooperation unless the
clause should be modified In some such
manner az his amendment provided
When the point was made that this was
n strained construction. the North Caro-
lima senator called attention to the claim
set up for Mr.. Cleveland in the matter OF
Cuban Independence. that the power of
recognition rested exclusively with the
executive. He warned the senate against
leaving any openings for the extension OF
executive power.
An interesting incident of the session
was Chandlers refusal to agree 10 a final
vote on the treaty today. He called at
tention TO the Associated Press dispatches
In regard to the situation In Crete. and
said that he did not feel disposed to en-
ter into any negotiations with any power
whose guns were trained upon a commu-
nifty OF Christians struggling 20 throw OF
the yoke OF Moslcmism lie also spoke
OF England's conduct toward the Beers
OF the Transyaal as deserving Of condean-
- for No. 80
present negotiations. He said he would
probably In the end vote for the treaty.
but that he was not in the mood for II to-
day.
At the open session the tariff bill passed
by the house yesterday was received as
soon as the senate convened. and without
motion or comment referred TO the COM
mirtec on finance
The Cuban question was revived after
a long period of comparative calm. -Four
distinct Cuban resolutions were brought
forward In rapid succession. The last and
most important one came from Margon of
Alabama. It declares that a state of war
exists in Cuba, and announces the policy
of the United States 10 maintain a strict
neutrality ss between both parties 10 the
conflict, with fun recognition OF the In
surgents a. bclligerents. Morgan gave no.
tice that he would call up the resolution
a. The next meeting Of tho senate with
the expectation OF securing final action
or the other resolutions two were agreed
10. one Of these by Morgan, calls on the
preside nt for tbs letters Of Gen. Gomez TO
himself and Mr Cleveland. and for other
Information on Cuban affairs. The other,
by Mills OF Texas. tnstruct$ the com mittes
on foreign relations 20 report what ohIiga-
tons the United States has assumed BY
compelling Cuba 10 remain subject TO
Spain. Both resolutions were passed with
out opposition.
Stiii another resolution came from Allen
or Nebraska. and proposed a protest
against a reported purpose OF the Spanish
authorities 70 try Gen. Ruis Rivera the
Cuban offfcer. by military drumheaa court
martial This led 20 an animated contro-
vsrSy between Allen and Hoar. TIE dis
eussion went over. 10 come up with the
resolution for ire recognition OF Cuban
helligerency ~ the next meeting.
The senate adjourned 10 Monday.