The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-27
MASS MEETING I'm THE INTEREST
OF THE NEW ARBITRATION
TREATY.
NO SPIRIT OF { CRITICISM.
THE SENATE FRANK AND
FRIENDLY.
Addresses by GardineF Hubbard,
Justice Brewer and a Letter
From Cardinal Gibbons.

WASHINGTON, Jan. ga large
meeting of the friends of arbitration
between the United States and Great
Britain, now pending in the senate,
was held in the Grand opera house this
afternoon. The call for the meeting was
signed by eX-Secretary Of State john
w. Foster, Chief Justice Melville w.
Fuller, Of the United States supreme
court; Bishop John F. Hurst, Bishop
Henry Y. Satterlee, President B. L.
Whitman, of Columbian university;
Rev. D. J. Stafford and other prominent
citizens. The purpose Of the meeting
was stated in the call to be the public
investigation of the appreciation Of the
great principles Of arbitration embodied
in the pending treaty. The audience
was large and distinguished one
Ex-Secretary John w. Foster called
the meeting to order In part he said:
This meeting has not been called in
any spirit Of criticism or impotence.
We recognize the fact that under a
provision Of the constitution which
experience has proved to be a wise one.
the senate is made a part of the treaty
making power and has duty to dis
charge coordinate with the national
executive. We also recognize that this
nation has great interests on this
hemisphere which should not be made
the subject of arbitration with any
European nation. It is believed these
interests have been carefully guarded
In the pending treaty, but if after
mature consideration, the senate should
find 1t expedient and possible to make
the language Of the treaty more explicit
In this respect, such action should be
regarded as prudent craftsmanship. I.
however, venture to express the hope
that the final action of that body will
not be such as to defeat the treaty, as
1t would thereby disappoint the hopes
Of the great majority Of the people Of
the United States and discredit our
government in the eyes of the civilized
world"
Hon. Gardiner G. Hubbard, president
Of the American Geographical society.
was elected chairman of the meeting,
and on taking the chair said in open
ing: 1--WE are not here to discuss the
provisions, or to criticise it's defects.
We admit It's imperfections and it's in
completeness, but we believe these very
imperfections and this incompleteness
attest it's integrity, it's earnest purpose
and noble aim
Justice Brewer, Of the United States
supreme court, followed. He said that
although he was earnestly in favor Of
the pending treaty. he would not tres
pass in the slightest degree upon the
prerogative Of the senate, to carefully
and thoughtfully consider It In all it's
aspects and to accept what was good
and to reject what was bad.
Other brief addresses were made by
Thomas Nelson Page, President Whit
man, Of Columbian college, and ex-Sen-
ator Henderson, of Missouri. A letter
from Cardinal Gibbons was read ex-
pressing his regret at not being able
to attend the meeting. The following
resolution was unanimously adopted:
The citizens of Washington, in public
meeting assembled. desire to attest their ap-
probation of the great principle of interna-
national arbitration as embodied in the treaty
between this republic and Great Britain now
pending in the senate. Believing this treaty
to be a distinct advance toward the best civ
ilizat:on. and trusting that 1t may prove
helpful example to other nations, we shall
hail with joy and patriotic pride its confrma-
ton by the senate Of the United States.