The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-14
Many Members, Wroth over Cleve-
lands and OIney's Recent Structures,
Are Anxious to Secure Revenge.
FIGHT BEGUN YESTERDAY
WHEN THE SENATE DECIDED TO
IGNORE MIR. OLNEY's REQUEST
And Stand by the Orange Free State
and Argentine Extradition Trea-
ties as Amended and Ratified.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-Forty or fifty
members of the Senate for whose opposi-
tion Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Olney expressed
hearty contempt only a few weeks ago
when the Cameron Cuban resolution was
first reported, are rending and tearing at
the two treaties that have been submitted
by the executive-one relating TO Venezuela
and the other providing for general arbi-
tration between the United States and
Great Britain. The Venezuelan treaty is
certain to be amended in several important
particulars and the widely heraded peace
treaty" between the two great English
speaking countries is in fair way to be
torn to pieces by the unfriendly critics of
the Senate, who have the last say at it.
1t was very amusing for the administration
people when they had chance to comment
on the humiliation and bad temper of Con-
gress under the Oney LASH but it is quite
different now that the Senate has an inning
and is picking flaws in the proud work of
the secretary of state. The giving of med
icine is quite different from taking the
same. Evidences of hostility towards the
administration are very numerous these
days in Congress, and il ii is possible TO
do so the Senate will hang up both treaties
and pass them over into the next Congress,
allowing Major Mckinley and his Cabinet
a chance 10 reconstruct them and divide
the credit of their adoption. This may be
small business, but it comes under the gem
eral head of politics, and Mr.. Cleveland
cannot complain.
One irritating circumstance in connection
with the last treaty grows out of the pc
culiar method adopted by the State De-
partment TO give the text TO the public.
Two extra copies were made, one of
which was sent TO the Senate and the
other given to a Washington correspondent
of London newspaper. 1t was supposed
at the department that the press assoca-
ton would be able to get a copy at the
Senate but the rules of that body prohibit
ed this being given out at once. The press
associations. therefore, had To order the
treaty cabled back from London. whereat
complaint is made of discrimination against
American newspapers, and much is being
made of it in Congress and out. Mr. Oh
ney is accused of being an Anglomaniac
and to be catering moro to the English
people than to his American constituency
both in the matter and spirit of the treaty
itself and in the methods OF its distribution
for publication
The Senate committe on foreign rela-
tions to-day had under consideration the
general arbitration treaty, but did not
reach any conclusion as to- the proper dis
position to be made of it. A member of
the committee stated that the subject was
so vast that il was necessary to give the
matter very close consideration. He said
that one phase might be instanced: At
present there might not be anything in view
TO arbitrate, yet, after general arbitration
had been agreed any number of un-
| known cases might be presented by one of
| the parties and numerous claims presented
| which were unheard of might be brought
! forward. These unknown quantities might
be a serious objection TO making any def
| mite agreement.
Senator White. of California, says that he
| would support the treaty; if at all, because
| IL was for a short period and was largely
experimental. 1t might be that the expert
| ment would prove successful but he feared
| that in every contention that would arise
some new principle might arise which ii
| might not be good policy to submit To the
| tribunal proposed in the treaty. He said
| some qu -stion relating to the Monroe doc
| trine might arise and that question the
| United States would not care to submit to
! arbitration. Another case instanced by "a
| senator who has given the subject some
| thought was Cuba. Under certain conditions
| the United States might desire to take ac-
| ton regarding the island and assert the
| Monroe doctrine. The European powers,
| Great Britain included, might dispute the
| right of the United States under the Mon
| roe or any other doctrine 20 interfere and
! the matter, far Great Britain was
| concerned, must go to arbitration. Refer
| ence was also made to the Monroe doctrine
| resolutions now pending in the Senate in
which the declaration was made that the
| United States reserved the right to decide
when the doctrine applied The discussion
| to-day Indicated that the treaty would re-
| quire long consideration, and the opinion
| was expressed by some members that il
might be ratified through the influence of
| the peace societies and kindred organiZa-
tions which felt that such treaty might
| prevent war in the future.