The herald., 1897-01-23

| tration over which he might be callec
to preside For this reason. he did not
believe America, isolated as she is
among nations, should enter upon an
agreement for the arbitration of dl,-
putes. He did not believe court could
be formed in a way that would do just
ice to this country.
Proceeding, the senator declared 1t TO
be chimerical to talk of treaty for ,'ie
settlement of all differences arising pc
tween two countries related to each
other as are Great Britain and the Unit
ed States.
I'VE have them" he said, ION all sides,
north and south. As long as Englana
continues to increase her fortincatlous
from Newfoundland southWard on th-
Atlantic coast, and also on the Pacll'f,
it did not behoove this country to enter
into any entangling alliances that woulI
prevent prompt action on the part OF
this country in case such action should
prove wise or eXpedient Under the
terms of the treaty it would take year
or two to get any question of territoriai
| Significance before the proposed III
bunal In the meantime Great Britain
in her usual style, would take posses
| sion of the disputed territory while the
United States stood aloof to await upon
the International court. Questions or
! this character We're liable to arise m
| our Alaskan boundary and in the 18th
| mus of Panama. questions which, ne
said, ARE of sufficient magnitude to de-
mand from us the utmost care in our
| considera tion of this document
| 1t was at this point that Serator Nor
| gan who had been in conference with
other members of the committee on for
| eign relations, broke in upon the senator
| from Nevada to remind him that he was
| trenchng on the executive functions of
! the senate. Mr.. Stewart therefore de-
sisted. He did not suspend without a
! closing wish 10 the effect that he hoped
| that plenty of time would be taken 70
prevent this countryis losing every
thing.
The military academy bill was then
taken up. This caused some discussion.
which continued until o'clock, when the
! Nicaraguan canal bill was taken up.
Mr. Sherman created quite sensation
by presenting and having read a COM
munication from the minister of the
Greater Republic of Central America
to the secretary of state. which had been
transmitted to Secretary Olney.
The communication criticised the
pending bill in various particulars and
pointed out certain objects which, in
his opinion. would render them nuga
tory.
AS soon as the communication had
been read Mr.. Morgan took the floor.
He said the communication had come
before the senate in proper form because
it came through the state department.
but the senate had no knowledge of who
the signer was, did not even know Off
cially of the existence of the Greater Re-
public of Central America.
Mr.. Rodriguez is the accredited rep
resentative here of that republic" inter-
| rupted Mr.. Sherman.
Il understand" replied Mr.. Morgan.
that he has been received and bowed
into the diplomatic corps but this is
our first knowledge that such govern
ment exists" Mr.. Morgan said the
British government was interested in
counteracting the purposes of the United
States as to Nicaragua. He so expressed
his conviction to the secretary of state.
British railway lines had been estab-
lished across the isthmus for the distinct
purpose of securing exclusive control
of the isthmus communication. This be-
| lief was confirmed by recent develop
ments.
Turning to the letter from Minister
Rodriguez, the senator exclaimed:
Great Britain is using that diet as
cats paw for the purpose of driving us
out Of the isthmus. That is a serious
statement, but l make it deliberately
in the United States senate and it de-
mands an answer.
Raising his right hand, Mr. Morgan
| brought it down with resounding force
on the desk and added: That answer
must be given before there is any rati-
tlcation of this new arbitration treaty"
! Mr. Morgan said it was an unusual
thing that the minister for this new re-
/ public should send such a. communica-
! ton. If these governments desired to
/ forfeit any concessions they should do
! it and then the American congress would
! determine if there had been a violation
of contract rights given to American
citizens.
Mr.. Hale interposed the suggestion that
Minister Roderiguez' letter seemed to
raise a grave question as to whether the
measure under consideration could pro-
ceed. Whether this could be explained
away or not he was not able to say.
but he asked Mr.. Morgan. in charge of
the bill as 10 the status since the pre-
sentation of this letter.
Other senators interposed questions,
and intense interest was shown in the
unexpected letter Messrs. Davis. Brice
and others gathered about Mr.. Grays
/ desk and took turns in reading the min
/ ister's letter.
| Mr.. White asked if there was a minis
| ter from Nicaragua.
| Mr.. Morgan explained the diplomatic
/ status and then declared with empha-
sis: This is an impertinent intrusion.
thrust in our face while the senate is
seeking to deal with the isthmian ques-
! ton"
Mr., Morgan favored making Ncara-
! qua live up to her contract and conces-
! sions. Until lately she had favored
! American construction of the canal. And
I yet she comes here with two other Cen
tlal American countries and raises OBJ
jections which, if held to be good. would
end the prospect OF Anne riCan control of
| the Nicara guam canal The American
people would not quietly give up the
right to control that great waterway.
whatever clamor may be raised for
peace treaty with Great Britain. The
! presentation of this letter coming from
| the secretary of state meant that the
president of the United states had deter
| mind that the pending Nicaraguan canal
! bill is not to be allowed to pass. That
| was a remarkable threat and yet il was
! so in line with previous executive action
( that Mr. Morgan said he felt quite pre-
pared for the interference.
Mr., White of California, Democrat
| suggested that the letter had been
sent by the secretary of state to the
committee on foreign relations for its
/, private information, and that the chair
man (Sherman) had undertaken to make
It public.
Mr.. Morgan said the real cause for
| the appearance Of this letter was that
! it presented a renewal of the Ereing-
| huysen-SaVilie treaty by which we
We're to pay Nicaragua $4.0O0.000
Does Nicaragua wish 10 handle that
! $4,000 C00?" inquired MI Morgan, sug-
| gestivcly.
The senator believed this was the real
| motive for the apDPararcc cc of the letter