The National tribune., 1897-01-28
Fa1pAY. JAN. %.

In the Senate, a discussion arose on the new
Anglo-American peace treaty, notwithstanding
the rule of referring to treaties only in Execu-
tive session. 1t brought out statements from
Mr.. Sherman, Mr. Cullom, Mr.. Lodge and Mr..
GRAY. members Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, aud from many other Senators
Mr.. Hoar precipitated the discussion. In
presenting petition from . chamber OF COM
merce favoring the speedy ratification of the
treaty the Massachusetts Senator added some
observations on the public pressure on the Sem
ate. great many prominent men and organ
izstions were teegraphing and writing to him
urging immediate action on the treaty.
81 suppose there is no man in this body"
proceed ed Mr. Hoar. who does not hail one
of the great events of the century the conclu-
sion OF this treaty. strengthening the bonds of
friendship between the two English speaking
nations, as well as the friendship between the
United States and the whole world, and doing
away with the barbarities of war;"
"But it should not be forgotten" continued
Mr.. Hoar, THAT the treaty is not accom-
plished fact until the Senate has examined aud
passed upon it," The Senate had not yet acted,
and in his judgment it was very poor diplom-
acv to have these heated utterances directed to
Senators. telling them they should act at once.
What If it should turn out that there was some
uniutended advantage to England or disadv van
tape to the United States in the treaty, which
both parties would correct? In that case, when
Mr.. Olpey suggested change was it wise to
arm Lord Salisbury with the reply that the
American public had expressed its opinion
fayorably to the treaty as it was?
Mr.. Gray, (Del., D.. member of the Foreign
Relations Committee came into the discussion
at this point. "What are We going to do about
ftp" he asked Mr.. Hozr. = i do not know that
the public interest in this subject is misdi-
rected or that we can abate it. An indifer-
euce on the part of the public might be far
more serious than zeal, although an intcmper-
ate zeal may not be the wsest course. But we,
as Senators, cannot restrain the zeal, even ii it
be incorporate zeal, oil the pubic, SO what are
we to o about it?"
81 answer the Senator" responded Mr.. Hoar
"that We should first point out to the many
we'll meaning men who address the Senate ask
ing precipitate action that it is unwise to urge
the Senate to an unusual course, aud this would
be SO apparent TO them that they would
6esist."
Mr.. Gray, who was still standing added tn,
| statement: Il rejoice at the interest of the
people, the press and the pulpit in this import
| ant subject"
Mr.. Cullom said 81 only want to say ont
word. aud that is in accord with the statement
| By the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign
| Relations. The treaty has been before it only
a short while. j think now there have beer
| three meetings OF the Committee since II c2m
| in and the treaty was read at the first meetin,
1 Of the Committee and laid over until the sec
| ond meeting. Some members OF the Commit
teo were not present at the second meeting AM
| il went over to another meeting. There ha
certainly been no disposition whatever on tn
| part Of the Committee on Foreign Relations :
| delay the treaty for moment after the mem
bers of the Committee were satisfied that it wa
the proper thing to ratify it or to report
favoraby.
but / want to say especially that in TIL
country it does not appear TO be unanmou
expression that the treaty should rs ratified {
it is IN the letters from prominent gentieme
of my State this morning, part Of them wef
In favor of immediate action favorably upo
the treaty. Others .ere opposing the treat.
So 1t does not seem to me that it is an unreasol
able thing for the Committee on Foreign Rel
tions TO take such time as they deem nccessal
for consideration ia the Committee of the trea,
| before il comes into the Senate"
Mr.. Lodge, also of the Foreign Relation
Committee expressed qualification that b
colleague. Mr.. Hoar, bad given expression
his thoughts upon the subject OF the arbitr
ton treaty, as there was evidently much mi
apprehension to the effect that the comMitt
had been guilty of unnecessary delay in CO..
e sidering the treaty.
!. When the Nicaragua Canal bill was TAXI
up. MIR. Sherman created quite sensation
Q presenting and having read . communicate