New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-14

RELATIONS COMMITTEE FAILS TO BRING
ABOUT THE EXPECTED RESULT
LITTLE POSSIBILITY or ACTION AT
THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS
washington Feb 13.-The meeting Of the SEN
s.s Committee on Foreign Relations this morn
ing made II apparent that no agreement could
Ne reached on the general treaty OF arbitration
With Great Britain which would bring the con-
tending factions. either in committee in the
senate together. While Mr.. Sherman was not
old So in exact words, the inference 10 i've drawn
rom what Mr. Morgan. Mr.. Daniel and Mr..
Cameron said was that under no circumstances
could the treaty he ratified at the present ses-
sion o. the Senate.
After an hour and half spent in discussion.
IRE committee framed an amendment along the
unes indicated in these dispatches Yesterday.
T. IS based on the amendment Of which Mr. Nor
gar gave notice. and puts into words the inter-
nre,ation placed on the treaty by Mr.. Turpie.
=. provides that all subjects to be submitted 20
arbitration under this general treaty must be
submitted after the manner and in the form pro-
,idod for the submission and ratification Of
original treaties.
The action ~ the committee IN adopting the
amendment however. did not bring about har-
rnony on the contrary. the more the whole
subject was discussed the more evident IL be-
Msssrs Morgan. Daniel. Mills and Cameron re-
fused 70 consider the treaty in a favorable light,
oven after they had voted for the amendment
They opposed il on general grounds and said
~ was impossible for them 20 believe that the
country would be benefited by its ratification,
q, cast az the present time. They refused TO
listen 70 the pleading OF Mr. Sherman and his
associates. and declined even TO admit that the
amendment had accomplished what had been
sought
The committee adjourned with the majority
feeling anything but comfortable over the out
look Mr.. Sherman informed his colleagues that
he would move executive session early In the
day for the purpose Of testing the sense OF the
senate. and intlmated as he did the floor
Iasc evening. that If there was possibility 81
a speedy vote he would not further press the
consideration Of the treaty. Mr. Sherman made
h-s demand for an executive session few
minutes after the Senate convened refusing to
We'd 10 anything but the routine morning bust
ness
STILL ANOTHER AMENDMENT OFFERED.
Early in the session Senator Chandler Of
tered amendment IN the shape OF an addi-
,1nal article which is in fact declaration.
Il says that both the contracting parties in
making this treaty 90 II for the purpose Of
cnunciating their belief in the principle Of IN
tzrnationaI arbitration, and TO bring about, II
possible the policy Of a general disarmament
among the nations II is further declared that
each Of the contracting parties expresses It's will
.ngness and intention TO make similar treaties
with other nations including not only those
hat are strong and able TO defend themselves
and who have large military establishments
but also with the smaller nations, with whom
differences similar 70 those covered by this
treaty might arise
MI Teller. Of Colorado was one Of the first
speakers He advocated postponement OF the
consideration OF the treaty until after March 1.
when the Senate would be in extra session. with
ample time look into the instrument. Many
. Senators pressed with other business had been
unable study the treaty they should DO be-
fore casting their votes, and he believed the best
interests of the country would be conserved by
reasonable delay.
QUESTION OF INTERPRETATION.
The debate Of the afternoon revolved about
question Of the proper Interpretation Of the
words used by the committee in It's new amend
a4nt which provides that all matters for arbi
ration shall first be submitted TO the Senate FOR
It's approval" What was meant by the word
APPROVAL was the question generally asked and
10 which no satisfactory answer appears TO have
oeen given There was also wide difference Of
opinion among Senators as whether. under
this amendment. such approval would have TO be
given by a two-thrds vote or by majority only
Some contended that inasmuch the whole
Congress had TO appropriate The money 20 meet
the expenses Of the arbitration the Congress
might have voice in the settlement Of the mat
tsrs 70 be submitted.
There was no regular debate on this subject.
J. consisted entirely Of questions and cross-ques-
tons with absolutely conclusion being
reached Senator'S Gray. Turpe, Lodge, Sher-
man Daniel Davis Lindsay, Caffery and Hoar
took part Mr. Caffery. who to-day for the first
time discussed the treaty came out strongly for
II and advocated It's speedy ratification. Nj
Chandler made the point that Il the amendment
meant what the committee sad-that ii required
The usual vote of the Senate TO dispose Of the
olIas-t10--hen the provisions or the penang
fr-4-v could only be carried out in each instance
yvbar u was invoked by making d new treaty. Il
thai was true he need OF the pending treaty Was
not apparent
MR.. MILLS FREES HIS MIND.
Mr. Mills finally got the foo- and made the
ONLY set speech Of the day. Mr. Mills is at all
tines an inpetuous and vehement speaker. He
was unusually free to-day. and. being unre-
strained by the gaIeries. he unbOsomed himself
IN = u,ay that left no doubt about the strength
~ ots onuosition TO the treaty. He opposed II
on General grounds for the reason tnat II not
or1v went too far. but was bad IN principe he
did not believe IL right that THIS senate shouId
nv anv general arrangement restrict the power