Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-25
The Senate and the Trentr.

From the New York Mail and Express
The consideration of the arbitration
treaty by the senate committee on fereign
relations yesterday was given an air of
more than ordinary Importance by the
presence of the secretary OF state. That
Official appeared before the committee pur-
Suant TO request. 1t is entirely to the
credit of the members of the committee
that they should desire and seek all pos
slble information on so important a matter
as the ratification of II treaty binding this
ratlon to sweeping pledges and solemn
obligations in its relations with Great
Britain for period of five years
There can be no necessity nor justiG-
cation for haste in committing this gov
crnment 10 the terms and conditions of a
treaty prepared in secret and made pub
lie only on the day OF its submission to
the senate. There is no reason Tor be-
lieving that Great Britain, although our
most alert and active rival in the great
interests affecting out present and future
welfare, seeks through this treaty any
covert or sinister advantage at our eX-
penSe But this fact does not absolVe the
senate from the necessity for an intelli-
gent and independent exercise of that dis
dictionary power with which the consti-
tuition has wisely invested it in such mat
exhibited by some of our contemporaries
at the delay incident to a careful and i'm
partial consideration of the scope and pos
sibie consequences OF so important a COM
pact, as unnecessary. unseemly and mex
cusable.
Secretary Olney may be absolutely ac-
curate in his statement before the COM
mittee that the treaty will in no way af-
feet the Monroe doctrine. Still, the COM
mittee is under no obligation to accept his
opinion as final determination of that
most vital phase of the discussion. This
government does not propose to obscure,
much less abandon, any of its established
and cherished principles and policies by
inadvertencc. We would not suggest the
existence of circumstances warranting the
least suspicion of indirection or double
dealing on the part of Great Britain. On
the contrary, We have no disposition to
doubt or question the candor and sincerity
o. Great Britain's professions in this mat
ter. Indeed, the only suspicious circum-
stance is the unconcealed eagerness of this
administration, none too American in its
spirit and methods, to have the treaty
rushed to its consummation.
There is, however, no necessity for the
serate. in acting on this unique treaty, to
abandon its customary dignity and dis
cretion. Those constituting the present
administration will. in few weeks, re-
linquish their official duties and response
bilities, and become merged in the common
mass of American citizenship, but the gov
errment will be compelled to observe and
fulfill the conditions and obligations which
this treaty imposes. The government.
therefore. and not the administration, as
sumes the entire responsibility for all that
may follow the consummation and prac-
tical operation of this novel convention.
In view of these facts, it is clear that
the senate should give this treaty the full
est and fairest consideration before pro-
ceeding to its ratification. That much is
due to the Importance of the principles
and issues involved, to the dignity and
sobriety of the senate, and to the rights
and interests of the nation.