The times., 1897-05-06
TALK ABOUT THE TREATY
Divers Opinions on the Failure
Of General Arbitration.
NeNPARTISAN DEBATE
Many Senator's Indisposed to u
Discussion of Executive Session
Views-The Representatives Talk
Freely-This Country Big and
Wise Enough to Go 1t Alone.

There was no very general desire OF
the part of Senators last night TO respond
to requests for interviews on the fail.
ure of the Senate to rafify the arbitra-
ton treaty. Two of those who have not
spoken in the Senate on the subject said
that they would regard an interview as
a statement to the public as to now they
voted i'll executive session Several Rep
resentatives also declined TO be inter
viewed. One Of the Senators said thai
there was no politics in the vote, and tila'
the result. therefore, indicated only In
dividual opinions
senator Morgan was asked how lar he
thought the Senate vote reflected pubic
opinon THAT" he said, lis question
for the press to answer SO far as l am
concerned, l have opposed it and believed
[ was right in such opposition. The country,
| think, ought to feel relieved from an
unnecessary and mwise obligation with a
foreign country | have no spite against
Great Britain, and would desire pleasant
relations with her, but have desire to
see our own country independent OF any
foreign complication or control. We have
ability to take care OF ourselves for mere
than a hundred years, managing and at
tending to our own affairs, and there is no
reason why we should tie ourselves up at
this late day"
Senator Berry was called on, but ne
said that IL was his custom to decline to
be interviewed. 1t, was, therefore, I'M
possible to extract an opinion from him on
the interesting subject.
Senator McEnery said that he was not
at liberty TO express himself What tran
spired was n executive session, and he
did not care to tell even how he voted,
although ne had no doubt that it would all
come out in due tune.
Senator Chiffon would not receive re-
porter, and great many other Senators
had retired or were otherwise invis-
ibie on the subject.
The Representatives were more accessi-
bic. Mr. Cooper OF Texas said that so
far as Texas is concerned, IL thinks this
country has brains, pluck and intelligence
To take care of its own business We are
also large enough and honest enough TO
deal Independently and fairly with other
countries without any special obligation
So To act.
Mr. Miller, of West Virginia, Republican:
Il think that the people whom | represent
are in favor of the treat y and, , in general. Of
the settlement OF international difficulties
without war. / think that is the optr-
ion OF most thoughtful andinteliigent pe''-
pie So far as have noticed, don't think
the proposed treaty interfered at all with
our idea Of the Monroe doctrine.'
fol- nf DCfllnHFat "
pressed himself in favor OF the ratification
of the treaty From what have heard
I expected favorable action today. l think
the country wantedit. and on general prin-
ciples | am in favor of its passage
Mr. Cannon: Il think this country is big
enough and strong enough TO settle its
difficulties with or without a treaty. I
have no opinion to express On what the
white -buttoned nandarins did, for tie
reason thatI don't know in what shape the
treaty was before it,.
Mir Mcguire OF California: I'VE have
so far gotten along very well without a
treaty OF arbitration. AS TO the principle,
it is all well enough, but l believe in it's
application only to specific cases. In the
general arbitration, proposed in this par
ticular treaty all the gain is ON the other
side. The principles of the other side were
all affirmative and negative" Mr. Ma
guire was pleased that the treaty failed Of
ratification.
The opinions generally were without parti-
san views, as above stated by a Senator.