New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-09
ARBITRATION TREATY UP.
ruANCEs OF RATIFICATION BETTER
THAN ITS FRIENDS EXPECTED.


washington Feb S-By the decisive vote of
.o ~ @ the Senate this afternoon. after n dis
crss,on Of almost two hours voted not to con-
sder the general treaty OF arbitration between
,hs United States and Great Britain with open
soors Secrecy will be maintained. and the ira
dt,ons Of the Senate will be perpetuated. The
senators who voted TO open the doors were
viu ~ Ncw-York; Brown, OF Ctah; Lindsay, Of
vantucllv; PETER of Kansas: Roach. Of North
.Dokota. Stewart OF Nevada; Tilman, Of South
carolina; Teller Of Colorado and Pettigrew. of
South Dakota
The discussion Of the day, which continued
until nearly O'Clock showed that the chances
<or the ratification Of the treaty are better thar
many Of its friends supposed. The opposition.
sncularly enough, appears TO pe confined to the
silver men who supported the ticket headed by
Mr. Bryan. IL is believed by the more sanguin:
advocates Of the convention tina: the vote may
be reached before the end Of the week but this
is disputed by many who say tina. the debate
will be somewhat protracted.
The proposition for an open session was sup
ported in speeches by Senators Hill and Stewar-
and antagonized by Senator'S Mills. Hoar, She
man Lodge. Gray. Morgan and Daniel.
HILL WANTS THE DOORS OPENED.
In accordance with his notice, Mr. Sherman
moved an executives session at the close OF the
morning business. Mr.. Hill at once made
motion that the doors be opened and the de-
bate proceed in the presence Of the public. He
laid some stress upon the Righteousness of a
debate upon matter the text Of which was in
possession OF the putlic-not only the text but
the amendments proposed by the committee.
which were published in full, despite the re
fusal Of the Senate TO remove the injunction o:
secrecy therefrom.
The motion was antaSonzed. not only upon
parliamentary grounds but for the reason that
Il would be against public policy. Mr.. Gray, of
Delaware. the first speaker TO oppose the
motion Of the Senator from New-York.
Senator Gray was followed by Senators Lodge
and Sherman who likewise opposed the motion
OF Senator Hill. Both these members Of the For
egn Relations Committee took the ground that
such a proceeding against the established
precedents of the Senate, and if 1t was agreed 20
could only lead to bad results. Treaties were
solemn compacts with other Powers. and what
ever said in considering their merits or de-
merits ought to be said behind closed doors. If
there was TO be criticism it ought not to be in
public. where the heat of debate might lead TO
the utterance Of sentiments which might be
prejudicial to the friendly relations now exist
ing between the two nations.
In the course of his remarks. Mr.. Lodge said
that so far as his personal interests were con-
,-erned, he would favor an open session. for the
reason that il would enable him TO show to his
constituents and the country just what he de-
sired With respect to this treaty; but when he
considered the subject from the point of view Of
what was best for the country, he saw very
clearly that closed session was not only deSir7
able but imperative. open doors meant endless
H.
not wish to see this treaty debated 10 death. As
amended and reported 10 the Senate he favored
It and desired that course might be pursued
which would lead TO its ratification by the Sen
ate.
Mr. Morgan. another member Of the committee,
also antagonized the motion Of Mr.. Hill He
began his speech with the statement that he
supposed an immediate vote would be taken. but
fifteen minutes after this statement was made
there was no indication Of an approaching con-
cluson Of the speech of the Senator from Ala
bama. Mr. Morgan took grounds similar 10
those upon which the preceding speakers had
stood.
Senator Stewart, Of Nevada made a vigorous
speech in favor of open sessions. While he did
not say so in words. the inference was drawn
from his remarks that he desired such session
for the reason that it would be conducive to
the defeat Of the treaty.
Following Mr. Stewards speech, Mr.. Sherman
made another appeal for a secret session. urging
that there were special reasons why this treaty
should be cons tlered in secret. He then read a
letter from Secretary Olney urging that the
Senate in view OF it's rejection Of King oscar,
do not further humilate that monarch by per-
hitting the criticisms that might be made TO De
made in public. The letter was short. but ear
nest although couched in diplomatic language
The vote was then taken. with the result
before indicated.
ME- sHERMAN'S PLEA FOR THE TREATY
When the treaty was taken up on its merits
Nj Sherman as chairman Of the committee,
made short but effective speech. He denied
the statements that any Of the interests OF the
United States had been placed in Jeopardy. Inc
treaty had been carefully considered by the
committee. and had been amended as II WAS
believed best r. should be- Those amendments
while few in number, We're essential ana oper-
sted as r safeguard. The Nicaragua Cahal
had been removed from the operation OF the
Convention by the amendment which declared
that all questions affecting the National poHcy
Of either Government or Of either toward any
other Government should not be subject 10
arbitration The Monroe Doctrine was not IN
GUIDED and the United States never would. he
asserted, agree 10 the arbitration OF that doc-
trine Arbitration was. however, he said, the
policy Of the American people. They had al
ways advocated II. Mr.. Sherman submitted an
Elaborate statement showing that the United
States had entered into thirtySnino treaties IN
which arbitration the cardinal principle
Nj Sherman spoke with his old time vigor ana
made speech that impressed the Senate most
favorably.
Nj Nelson. Of Minnesota, briefly advocated the
treaty and paid high tribute 10 the character "f
King Oscar Of Sweden, who had been agreed
upon by Mr.. Olney umpire He denied that ms
s!mpathics were with the English and minated
mat at the proper time he would move 10 REIN
sert the article making him the umpire,
MORGAN SPEAKS AGAINST IT
Mr.. Morgans opposition 10 the treaty as /
Whole was based upon the ground that the con- !