The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-02
THE ARBITRATION TREATY.
The Senate Voting Upon the eAmendme nts 9.
Unsuccessful Efforts to Have Appointed
Time for the Final Vote on the Treaty.


Time for the Final Vote on the Treaty.
Washington, March 31.-The senate
remained in secret session this after
noon for three hours and a half, dur
ing which time it disposed OF all tho
important amendments to the general
treaty Of arbitration and failed utterly
to agree as to time when a final
vote shall be taken. Voting will be
resumed on all amendments that may
then be pending tomorrow at O'Clock,
and after that hour no further amend
ments will be permitted.
The most interesting feature OF to-
days session was the notice given by
Senator Hansbrough, of North Dakota,
that he should tomorrow or at the first
favorable opportunity, offer as sub
stitute for the whole treaty a declara-
ton in the shape Of a resolution that
the United States is in favor Of the
principles Of arbitration, but that the
exigencies of the times do not demand
that such a treaty should be now rat
flied.
Senator Hoar, Of Massachusetts, OBJ
jected to such proceeding and said
that he would make a point Of order
against it when the resolution was Of
fereO.
The voting began promptly at 2
o'clock, according to the agreement.
the first vote being on the amendment
offered by Senator Hoar. which con-
sisted of a combination Of the Chiffon
amendment and the amendment to the
first article to the treaty submitted
by the committee at the last session.
This amendment provides that ANY
difference which, in the judgment Of
either power, materially affects its
honor, or it's domestic or foreign policy,
shall not be referred to arbitration un-
der this treaty, except by special agree
ment"
There are amendments to this prOpo-
sition similar to that Of Senator Chill
toms, which stipulates that each Ques-
ton proposed to be submitted to arbi-
tration, under the treaty. must first
be sent to the senate for action by that
body, as in the case Of an original
treaty. This was adopted by vote Of
54 to 13.
Despite the adoption Of this, Senator
Chiffon pressed his amendment, but 1t
was laid on the table by vote OF AZ
to %.
Mr.. Bacon's amendment. eliminating
all questions relative to the bonded in
debtedness or other securities Of the
states was also laid upon the table.
but without yea and nay vote.
Z 3
text Of the treaty was ambiguous as
/ to the tribunals to be established.
| offered an amendment which provides
! that there shall be a separate court
for each case that may be submitted
and this was agreed to by a very good
majority.
Senator Rawlins. Of Utah, sought to
strike out all OF article 8. which re-
lateS to the selection OF member OF
the tribunal from among the judiciary
Of a state or territory when any Ques-
ton in which such state or territory
is interested is a subject Of arbitration
This was, however, voted down.
Senator Morgan moved to strike out
article Z, which relates to the methods
to be pursued when objections are
taken to the jurisdiction OF the tri-
bunal, but he withdrew the motion
stateing that he would renew it to-
morrow.
Article contains a provision which
requires that in the event OF an award
being made by an equally divided cour,
there shall be no recourse to hostile
measures Of any description until the
mediation Of one or more friendly
both OF the parties.
Senator Mills. Of Texas. moved tC
strike out this provision. but this mo-
ton was also laid upon the table by
yea and nay vote.
Several other amendments of minor
character were offered, but shared the
same fate.
Senator Davis pressed for An agree
ment for an hour to take the vote
either Friday or the following Monday
but Senator Stewart objected. He
contended that there had been nc
agreement with respect to the pairs
This should be done. he said, on the
basis Of two votes for the treaty as
against one on the other side of the
question, inasmuch as the subject had
to be determined by two-thirds vote
No conclusion was reached on the sub
ject, and Senator Stewart, refusing tc
withdraw his objection. and no ar.
rangement for the vote was had.
While the adoption Of the Hoal
amendment has weakened the opposi
tion to the treaty, it is not altogether
certain that 1t will have two-third.
or the senate when he final vote fl
taken.