Evening star., 1897-02-12
DISCUSSING THE TREATY.
Most of the Time Occupied by Messrs
Turpie and Morgan.

Turpie and Morgan.
Ihe Senate spent the greater part of yes
terday afternoon in executive session, de-
batting the Anglo-American arbitration
treaty. The entire time was consumed by
Senators Turpie and Morgan, the former
in advocacy of, and the latter in opposition
to, ratification. No action was taken on
any amendment or on any part of the
treaty, and but little appreciabIe progress
was made.
The session opened with Senator Turpie' s
speech, which was a reply to Senator Nor
gans attack upon the treaty, and q de-
mand for its ratification by the Sena te
without any amendment. He opposed the
amendments made by the committee on
foreign relations as useless, and as having
a tendency both to weaken the treaty and
to render it inharmonious in construction.
He laughed at and held up to ridicule Sem
ator Morgan's fears of the effect of the ac-
ceptance of the treaty, saying that so
aStute a man as was the senator from Ala
bama should not fear to be led into a trap
set by England He declared that the
United States as a nation was big enough
to be perfectly independent and fearless
in such matter, and said ought to set
an example to other nations in all matters
looking to the promotion of the reign of
peace, which was the paramount purpose
of the pending agreement. He contenled
that the perfection of the treaty would have
the effect of preventing such war panicS
as those which followed the excitement
over Venezuela, as the existence of a treaty
providing for the submission of all ques-
tions TO arbitration would be both guar
antee against war with England and a
safeguard in case of war with other corn-
tries. He also urged that in case it was
found that the enforcement of the terms
of the treaty involved the Monroe doctrine
and the Nicaragua canal, the question
could then be taken up by Congress and
acted upon as effectively as at present.
nf II T., Nt<'e-
marks Senator Morgan took the floor and
went over the ground which he had before
discussed, paying more particular attention
to the points made by Senator Turpe with
reference to the Nicaragua canal. He de
clared that under the terms of the treaty,
and unless specifically protected oy amend
ment. and especially the abrogation of the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty the canal would be
subject to arbitration. Mr.. Morgan also
pointed out the influence which England
was exerting in the Central American
states, and declared that the Senate of the
United States must protect the interests of
this country. He replied to Mr.. Turpie's 5
attitude, and said that If the Indiana SEN
ator was such a man of peace ne now
professed to be, he had created a very false
impression in his attitude on the Cuban
question.
AT the close of Mr. Morgan's speech Mr.
Teller made motion to have certain cor
respondence which had been sent in with
the treaty made public. This correspond
ence has been printed some time, and the
facts 1t contained were published by the
Associated Press before the treaty was
sent to the Senate. The motion was with
drawn for the present, Senator Teller say
ing that he would renew 1t at the next ex-
ecutive session.
Senator Sherman took no part IN yester-
days discussion. but he told several SEN
atorS that he was exceedingly anxious TO
have the question disposed of as speedily
as possible. He said that he was contem-
plating asking the Senate soon to fix a day
Dy unanimous consent for vote. Ii is fnt.
general opinion that the request will not
now be acceded to