Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-01
THE ARBITRATION TREATY.
Amendment which some"""'
Wenkens Opposition Adopted

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. March a.-The
Senate remained in secret session this
afternoon for three hours and naf'
during which time II disposed Of all the
important amendments TO the general
treaty of arbitration, but failed utterly
TO agree as TO a time when the final vote
shall be taken. Voting will be resumed
on all amendments that may be then
pending tomorrow at o'clock. and after
that hour no further amendments VIII
be permitted.
The most interesting feature of to-days
session was a notice given by Mr.. Hans
trough. of North Dakota, that he should
tomorrow, or at the first favorable OPP
portunity. offer as a substitute for the
whole treaty a declaration I'm the shape
of a resolution that the United States is
i'm favor of the principle Of arbitration,
but that the exigencies Of the times do
not demand that such a treaty should
be now ratified. Mr. Hoar, of Massachu-
sets. objected TO such a proceeding. and
said that he would make a point Of order
against II when the resolution should be
offered.
The voting began promptly at o'clock
according to the agreement the first vote
being on an amendment offered by Mr.
a
of the Chiffon amendment and the amend
ment of the first article Of the treaty sub
mitted by the committee at the last ses-
sion. This amendment provides that ANY
difference which. in the judgment Of
either power, materially affects its foreign
or domestic policy shall not be referred
to arbitration under this treaty, except by
special agreement"
There is also added to this provision one
similar to that Of Mr.. Chiffon. which
stipulates that each question to be sub
mitted TO arbitration must first go to the
Senate, for action by that body as in the
case of the original treaty. This was
adopted by a vote of 81 to as.
Despite the adoption of this amendment.
Mr.. Chiffon pressed his amendment but
II was laid on the table.
Mr.. Rawlins. Of Utah, sought TO strike
out Article s. which relates TO the
selection OF a member Of the tribunal
from among the judiciary Of a State or
Territory. when any question in which
such State or Territory is interested is a
subject for arbitration This was. how
ever. voted down.
Mr.. Morgan moved 10 strike out Article
z, which relates 10 the methods to be
pursued when objections are taken to the
jurisdiction Of the tribunal. but he with
drew the motion. stating that he would
introduce ii tomorrow. The article con-
tains a provision which requires that in
the event of an, award being made by an
equally-divided court. there shall be no
recourse to hostile measures Of any de
scription until the mediation Of one or
more friendly Powers has been invited
by one or both of the parties Mr.. Mills.
Of Texas. moved 10 strike out this provis-
lon. but this motion was also laid upon the
table by yea and nay vote. Several
other amendments of minor character were
offered. but shared the same fate.
Mr.. Davis pressed for an agreement on
an hour TO take vote, either Friday or
the following Monday but Mr.. Stewart
objected Mr.. Stewart cOntended that
there had been no amendments with re
spect to pairs This should be done he
said on the basis CO two votes for the
treaty against one on the other side OF
the question. inasmuch as the subject had
to be determined by a two-thirds vote.
No conclusion was reached on the subject
and Mr.. Stewart refusing to withdraw his
objection, no arrangement for the vote
was had
While the adoption Of the Hoar amend
ment has weakened the opposition TO
the treaty. IT IS not altogether certain that
il will have two thirds Of the Senate on
the final vote.