The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-23

WASHINGTON. Jan. 22.-The session OF
the senate today developed three distinct
sensations. Most important OF these was
tie presentation by sherman Of i letter
from Minister Rodriguez, the representa-
tive OF the Greater Republic OF Central
America Qnc.udIng Nicaragua, in effect
protesting against the execution OF the
Nicaragua canal project by the United
States under the concession granted in
lssT 10 the Nicaragua Canal Company.
As the bin for this purpose was about 20
De voted on by the senate the presentA-
ton Of the letter created CONSERVATION
among lis friends. Morgan. rs chef sup
porter. at once declared the letter vas in
spired by Great Britain. who sought 10
drive the United States from the isthmus
by using the Central Americas as a cats
paw. He asserted that Minister Rodriguez
had come here 10 execute such plan and
that IL vas an open threat against Amer
ican control OF the canal. The debate was
very earnest and the letter made a pro-
found impression on the senators. Sem
ator Villas declared IL struck d death blow
10 the canal project as proposed by the
pending bill.
Earlier in the day the senate unexpect-
edly found itself discussing the new
Anglo-Ameriean treaty. While the treaty
Itself has been released, all discussion OF
II Is restricted TO executive session. Not
wlthstaEding this rule. the expressions
were free and full from Sherman. Gray
Cullom, Lodge, Hoar and others The
statements of these senators were uni
formsy favorable 10 the high principle of
the treaty. the only qualification being
that IL should receive mature and dispas-
sionate consideration.
Shortly after the session began Turple
zs4H rfa,.fr
the reported agreement between Secre-
tary Olney and sherman, by which no
action was TO be taken as TO Cuba before
March 4. sherman emphatiealiy denied
that any such agreement had been made
and added he had not had word with Mr.
O.ney In that direction
Idrpie gave notice OF A speech on the
Cameron resolution on Monday
These three incidents relating 20 cur
rent foreign questions, made the days ses-
sion one OF the most eveutful in years
Turpie Speaks for Cuba
In reference to the Cuban situation
Turpie announced that on Monday ne
would call up the Cameron resolution.
About three weeks ago he said there
had appeared formal utterance from
the secretary Of state At that time there
was no resolution before the senate. and
under the circumstances the secretary's
utterances were ohiter dictuur of the most
rude. most swift most voluntary char
acter. IL recalled the school OF a master
OF antiquity who caused his whole au-
dience TO tremhle with a threat OF future
displeasure. But the senate might have
passed this by. Today. continued Turpie
publication appeared in the newspapers
which had apparently become messengers
between the state department and con-
gress. and messengers whom the senator
did not disparage. 10 the effect that a
compact had been entered into between
the secretary OF state and the new pre-
mier Sherman. by which there was 10
he no further action on Cuba during the
present administration. Allow me to
say" proceeded Turpie. that I regard
such a course as a violation Of the comfy
existing between the legislative and ex-
ecutlve branches"
Sherman arose at this moment and said:
IF the senator refers TO the publication
OF today I win say there Is not the slight
est warrant for the statement. / have not
had word with Mr.. Olnev on that sub
ject and there has been no mention OF
an agreement or understanding"
Turpie said he was very glad 10 accept
this disavowsl but he felt that the sem
ate should do something TO dLssipate such
reports.
whatever difference there may be "a 10
the recognition Of Cuba" continued Tir
pie. II think every senasor here favors
her independence
4 Blow at the Nicaragua Canal.
At o'clock. when the Nicaragua canal
bill was taken up. sherman created quite
a sensation BY presenting and having read
a communication from the minister or
the Greater Republic of Central America
to the secretary OF state, which had been
transmitted by Secretary Olney. The
communication criticised the pending
Nicaragua canal blu IN various particu-
lars. and pointed out certain objections
which in the minister's opinion could rem
der IL nugat0ry.
As soon as the communication had been
read Morgan took the floor He said the
communication had come before the sen
ate in proper form because IL came
through the state department, but the
senate had no knowledge of who the
siene- wss. did not even know officially
cf the existence % the Greater Republic
Of Central America.
..aT~ Rodriguez Is the accredited rep
resentatiye here OF that republic. inter
- ,1n9erstana. replied Morgan. that
ha has haen received ana bowed Into the
dIulouat{c corps. hut this - our hFst
knowledge that such government eN-
lists"
Morgan said +he British government
vas Interested fn couuseracting Tire pur-
noses OF the United States as 70 Nicara-
s-,Ya He also expressed his conviction
20 the secretary OF state. British rail-
way lines had been established across the
IssFr7us for the distinct purpose q Sc
-ftrfny exclusive control of the lsfhmus
I communication. This belief WAS con-
arrrad bv recent developments Turning
F 80 che letter from Minister Rodriguez. the
senator exclaimed
Great Britain is us{ng that diet as a
cats paw for ths purpose - driving as
f out q the Is,hmus. Ioat = a eeflo as
atafaroert. hut make Il deliberately in
,se rsritea states senate. ard . demands
an answer.
+ Raising his right hand. Morgan brought
T &, DOWN with resouuding force or tns
{ desk. and added;
.eTbat answer must be given before
there IS anv ratification 81 thIs ns% sToi-
tration treaty.
+ Margin said Il was ar unusual ching
.na- the minister for this new republic
aA,ffa send s-3ch a comrunic8 tioa- II
thess GOVERN Hents desired 10 forfeit any
+ ~o,5,s4slors they should DO it. ard then
.ha American congress would determine
+ n taers had been violation % contract
-,znts given 70 American cifszens-
Ts.sa sn4arrssed the SuEEeEfiou that
Minister Rodriguez letter seemed 90 raise
+ !. r-aye question as to whether the meas
= ,rrser consideration could proceed
y,-herae~ thts cosla be explained away or
-of ~ vas una he 20 say bat he asked
Wr Merxar in charge or IRE bii3. as 20
tha status ssnce the pTesertsf.on q thts
letter.
I ~,sn,r ssrators iHterp8sec eHes-3of1s. 8n9
/ frsense Interest vas sEGwn - tbe ap-
1 -ezrsrre aF the unexpected letter Davis.
/ Fs~f~~ and others gstheTed about Gray 5
desk ara took turns IL reading tie minis