The Portland daily press., 1897-02-15
NOT At THIS SESSION.
70 Likelihood Of a Vote on
Arbitration Treaty.
MIR. MILLS OF TEXAS ARGUES
AGAINST 1T.

Saws 1t Not Only Goes Too Far But Is
Bad in Principle-United States
Strong Enough to Stand Up for Its
Rights and Mighty Enough to Enforce
Them.
| Washington, February 13.-Ihe arbi-
tration treaty was under discussion
while the Senate WAS in executive session
today.
MIR. Teller of Colorado was one If the
first speakers. He advocated the post
ponement of the consideration CT the
treaty until after the Attn of March,
when the Senate would be in extra SEES
sion with ample tine 10 look into the
instrument.
The debate of the afternoon revolvel
about question of the proper interpre-
tation of the words used by the commit
tee in it's new amendment which pro-
yides that all matters for arbitration
shall first be submitted to the Senate
for it's "approval. What was meant
nv the word "npproval" was the ques-
ton generally asked and to which no
satisfactory answer appears to have been
given. There was also wide difference of
upinion among the Senators as to wheth-
| or. under this amendment, such approval
would have to be given by a two thirds
vote or by majority only. Some con-
tended that, inasmuch as the whole Con-
gress had to appropriate money to meet
| VII, tro firy, tIo
Rress might have voice in the SETTLE
ment of the matters to be submitted.
There was no regular debate IN this
subject. 1t consisted entirely OF ques-
tions and cross questions with absolute
~ no conclusion being reached.
MIR Gallery who, today. for the first
time, discussed the treaty, came out
strongly for it and advocated its speedy
ratification.
| Mr.. Chandler made the point that If
the amendment meant what the COM
mittee said, that it required the usual
vote of the Senate to dispose of the
question, then the provision OF the pend
ing treaty could only be carried out In
each instance when it WAS invoked by
making new treaty. If that was true.
the need of the pending treaty was not
quite apparent.
Mr.. Mills finally got the floor and
made the only set speech of the day
He was unusually free today and, being
unrcstrained by the galleries, he un-
bosomed himself in a way that left no
doubt about the depth of his opposition
to the treaty. He opposed it on general
grounds for the reason that it not only
| went too far, but was bad in principle.
He did not believe it right that this
Senate should, by any general arrange
ment, restrict the power Of the Senate
to act in the future wheneve or treaties
came before it. But few things, MIR.
| Mills said, ought ever to he subm tilted
| to arbitration, and about the only thing
he could recall was the question of pc.
cuniary claims. Questions involving
the life, the integrity, the development
of the nation matters affecting the honor
of nation, it's flag and the protection of
| its citizens, should never bs arbitrated.
A nation that had any standing among
the peoples Of the earth ought ever to
be ready to protect Its territory, to up
hold it's honor and to defend its citizens
wherever they might be against the OPP
preston of foreigner and the tyranny Of
other governments. War was frequently
unsuitable end that was the one reason
why he did not believe the United
States should bind itself to any general
treaty Of arbitration. The United States
was now a powerful nation. 1t was
| strong enough to demand it's rights and
1t was mighty enough to enforce those
rights if denied. Mr.. Mills devoted
some time to Cuba, using tine situation
there as an illustration of what the
United States, as powerful and brave
nation, ought to do, but which appeared,
through some mysterious influence, to be
afraid to do its solemn duty.
After Mr.. Mills had con cluded, the de-
bate again drifted back into the CONVEX
sational character, Mr.. Hill remarking
that the Senate had been drumming
along all the week on this treaty. 1t
ought to adjourn now in time to let Sem
ators catch up with their mail, and he
voted down by largo majority, but later
on Mr.. Hill suggested the absence of a
quorum, and none appearing upon the
call, an adjournment was forced. 1t is
said Mr.. Sherman will make another
effort Monday to get vote, but if he
SEES disposition to prulong the discus
sion he will move to proceed to the con-
sideration of Legislative business and
the doors will be open. No vote will
probably be taken at this session of Con-
gress.