The herald., 1897-04-01
IN THE SENATE
The Day Devoted to the Arbitration
Treaty

WASHINGTON, March 31-The
open session of the senate today lasted
less than half an hour. 1t was produc-
tive of another Cuban resolution by
Mills of Texas, calling on the commit
tee on foreign relations for report on
the obligations assumed by the United
States in insisting that Cuba should not
be annexed to any European power and
should remain subject to Spain.
Hale's objection sent the resolution
over.
Morgan's resolution, calling upon the
president for Gen. Gomez letters, also
went over.
The rest of the day was spent in exec
utive session on the arbitration treaty.
At 1850 p. m. the senate went into ex-
ecutive session, and at o'clock ad-
journed.
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The senate today began voting on the
miscellaneous amendments TO the An
glo-American arbitration treaty. The
proceedings were conducted in execu-
tive session. but it is understood they
were confined almost exclusively to the
numerous votes taken. Action upon the
amendments offered by Senator Hoar
was the first taken, and several senators
expressed the opinion that 1t would rem
der any further amendment unneces
sary. There were six roll calls during
the session.
The first roll call was on Senator
Hoar's amendment 1t was adopted by
an overwhelming majority.
The final announcement was "a to 10,
but there had been four changes in favor
of the amendment before this result was
reached, making II votes cast originally
in opposition. The text of this amend
ment is substantially as follows:
Any difference which, in the judgment
of either power. materially affects its
honor or its domestic or foreign policy,
shall not be referred to arbitration un-
der this treaty, except by special agree
ment, nor shall any question as to the
continuance in force of any treaty
which has previously been made. 1t is
further explicitly specified and agreed
that all agreement entered into by the
contracting parties under this treaty
shall be signed by the president of the
United States and receive the approval
of the senate by a two-thirds vote be-
fore it becomes binding on either Great
Britain or the United States.
The provision in regard to the con-
tinuing of the present treaties was in
serted for the protection of the United
States, in connection with the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. The only other affirm
ative action was the adoption by vote
of AZ to 20 of the series of amendments
offered by Senator Foraker. The amend
ments are to each article providing for
q tribunal of arbitration. and declare
that each case submitted to arbitration
must be tried by separate tribunal.
The arbitrators appointed on the part
of the United States are to be nominated
by the president and confirmed by the
senate.
The Chiffon amendment providing for
the submission of all agreements to the
senate was laid on the table by an aye
and nay vote, because. as was urged,
the provision was practically included in
the Hoar amendment.
There were many senators, however,
who were of the opinion that the Chill
ton amendment was preferable on the
point covered by it because more ex-
plicit,, and the vote was comparatively
close the majority against it being
seven.
All agreement adopted by Senator
Mills, expunging the last half of article
6 of the treaty, invoking the good offices
of other powers before resorting TO war
In case of failure to reach an agree
ment under the terms of the treaty, was
also lost by close margin.
A motion to omit all of article s was
laid on the table by more decisive vote.
Senator Hansbrough gave notice of
substitute for the entire treaty, which
he said he would offer tomorrow, in the
shape of a resolution setting forth that
while the United States accepts the
doctrine of arbitration as wise and hui
name, the present treaty is not demanded
by the exigencies of the times. Senator
Hoar stated his purpose to make point
of order against the substitute when
offered and there is no doubt it will be
sustained.
When the senate adjourned at o'clock
it was with the understanding that the
final vote on amendments should be
taken at o'clock tomorrow, amend
Iqents to be presented tomorrow under
the ten-minute rule.
After this no further amendments will
be in order under the agreement of last
week, but there is no date fixed for the
inal yvote upon the treaty itself.
Senator Davis made an effort to secure
unanimous consent to take the vote on
either AFriday of this week or Monday
Of mex week, but Senator Stewart made
,bjecti pn.
The enate in executive session today
led the following nominations:
Joseph l.. Bristow of Kansas, to be
'ourth assistant postmaster general:
Henry \ay Evans, of Tennessee, to be
,ommP \per of pensions; Thomas Ryan
If Tdfa Kans., to be first assistant
;ecre9 # the INTERIOR Frank w.
PalmPt inois, to be public printer.
A MI IN N. H., minister remarked, on
recert Sundhy, that he would not give "a