New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-26
PROSPECTS OF THE TREATY.
LIKELY TO STAND OR FALL WITH THE
Chiffon AMENDMENT

uruRrps OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMIT
TEE HOWEVER. ARE CONFIDENT OF RATi-
FrcATIoN-rHE DEBATE IN THE SENNiN'
[ny TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE'l
Washington March 2J.--Now that n t'me mas
been Sc, for voting finally on the various amend
ments offered to the general arbitration treaty.
interest in the debate in the Senate mas begun
to anguish A short executive session was heid
to-day TO allow Mr. Chiffon of Texas 10 ad'o-
cate the important modification of the text or
the convention which he brought forward early
IN the present session. by the terms of which
everv subject of arbitration Is to be passed OH
nv the Senate as well as by the Executive. be-
fore II can he submitted for settlement 10 the
eppropriate board Of arbiters created ny the
terms of the general treaty. Few Senators re-
NAMED. however, to listen to the IeXas SeHa-
tors argument, and 1t seems likely that the
speeches which are to fill in the Intervals IN eA
ecutive sessions between now and Wednesday
next will be made to a similar array Of empty
benches.
That Mr. Chtons amendment viii be ac-
cepted is more than probable. Indeed II tHe
friends Of the treaty as ii now STANDS can mus
ter a majority to defeat IT. they VIII thereby
seriously endanger the fortunes OF the conNeh-
ton Itself: for although bare majority suihces
to defeat or sustain an amendment, two
thirds vote is necessary to pass the maj reso'u-
ton of ratification. There are now apparent!
from twenty TO thirty Senators VINO eitheF
openly oppose the treaty or are wholly nun
ferent about its success or failure. If all the
more important notifications urged by It's
critics are accepted by Senator Davis and the
Foreign Relations Committee. it IS probable that
the necessary votes can be secured to pass the
is aroused by contentious over the meaning ana
nurnosa of the amended text, the treaty may
foil ovantuolly 10 attract the two-thirds sup
mort which is required by the terms OF the Con-
stitution
Many of the new members Of the Senate nave
shown a disposition to inquire closely h'o inc
terms or the convention. and to insist 'hh' Ill
possible safeguards be thrown about us iu'uie
operations and this display Of cautious heS'a-
ton in so unexpected quarter mas given i"uoh
anxiety to the Foreign Relations committee anu
had much to do with the readiness with "hc"
Mr. Davis and Mr.. Hoar yielded yesterday the
full extension Of time demanded by the opponents
~ the treaty in It's present form. Senator DAVIS
and his colleag the committee are sun con-
edent however that the arbitration treaty, per-
haps with some lul 'hei "ii''i''' ~
ually he rtlneu.
DISCUSSING THE AMENDMENT.
Mr. Chiffon advocated his amendement with
o,oot deal Of warmth and contended that If, as
hod been asserted the terms OF the treaty were
irterpreted as meaning this, no good objection
could be raised to the insertion of words when
made that Interpretation unmistakable. IL
was in The interest of Clcarness, and should be
accepted such by all friends OIL the ,ea ~
Without his modification Mr.. Chiffon SAID. the
United States might in the future be charged
with violating its treaty obligations If 1t refused
to submit certain questions to arpltratioh "neh
two countries He did not went the United
States to be placed In embarrassing position or
this kind and deemed il the part OF prudence 10
make the text of the convention so perfectly plain
that there could be no clubbing over what ~
meant or what the Senate had In mind when the
treaty was agreed to. if il should be agreed to-
The debates were secret. and In the future the |
cold hard text Of the treaty would alone he &C |
cepted as the expression Of what was Intended |
when the convention was ratified and proclaimed |
TO the world.
Mr. Morgan again spoke in favor OF the |
amendment and took occasion to express his |
disapprcval Of any proposed treaty with Great |
Britain which had for its purpose a general
snare and pitfal but If there were sufficient
votes In the Senate to ratify the convention.
Senator Morgan said. he wanted 1t made as
nearly perfect possible.
Senators Gray. Davis. HOar and Lodge inter
rupted Mr. Chiffon with questi )ns tending TO "
show that his conclusions were erroneous. They
also made statements in support of the com
mittee amendments which had been agreed IL ,
as being sufficient to cover every possible crit |
ism which could he made against the treaty | !
Senator Gray took the floor in opposition 10 |
he Chiffon amendment after Mr. Morgan iad
finished his remarks, but. not desiring to g. on {
o-dsy. the Senate resumed consideration oil
legislative business