Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-23
SENATE DISCUSSES TREATY
Arbitration the Theme in the Upper
House Of Congress,
PLENTY or TIME FOR CONSIDERATION
Senator sherman Argues that the
Trenty should lie Carefully
Weighed Before FinnI Ac-
tion IN Taken Upon II.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 22.-Tho session Of
the senate today developed three distinct
sensations Most important Of these was
the presentation by Senator Sherman of a
communication by senor Rodriguez, the
representative of the Greater Republic Of
Central America dnciuding Nicaragua, in
effect protesting against the execution OF
the Nicaraguan canal project by the United
States, under the concession granted in 1877
TO the Nicaraguan Canal company. AS the
bill for this purpose was about to be voted
upon by the senate, the appearance OF the
letter created CONSERVATION among its
friends. Mr.. Morgan, its chief supporter, at
once declared the letter was inspired by
Great Britain, who sought to drive the
United States from the isthmus by using
the Central Americas as a catspaw. He as
serted Minister Roderiguez had come here
to execute such plan and it was an open
threat against American control of the ca
nal The debate was very earnest and the
letter made a profound impression on the
senators. Senator Villas declared 1t struck
deathblow to the canal project proposed
by the pending bill.
Earlier in the day the senate unexpectedly
found itself discussing the new Anglo-Amer-
ican treaties. While the treaty itself has
been released, all discussion of II is re.
standing this rule, the expressions were full
from Messrs. Sherman, Gray, Cullom, Lodge,
Hoar and others. The statements of these
senators were uniformly favorable to tho
1 high principle of the treaty, the only quail
liicaton being that 1t should receive mature
land dispassionate consideration.
Shortly after the session began Mr.. Turpie
caused preliminary furry by crlticizing the
reported agreement between Mr.. Olney and
Mr.. Sherman. by which no action
fore March 4. Mr.. Sherman en-
phaticaly denied that any such agree
ment had been made and added he had not
had word with Mr.. Olney in that direction
Mr.. rurple gave notice of a speech on the
Cameron Cuban resolution on Monday. These
three incidents relating to current foreign
questions made the days session one OF the
most eventful in years.
TURPIE TALKS.
Mr.. Turpie said he would on
Monday next call up the pending Cameron
resolution for the recognition of the inde-
pendence OF Cuba for the purpose OF making
some remarks. About three weeks ago he
proceeded, there appeared formal utterance
from the secretary OF state in the news
papers relative to the Cuban resolution. At
that time there was no resolution before
the senate. Under such circumstances the
5ecretarys utterance was obter dictum OF
the most ride, most swift, most voluntary
character. IL recalled the suhoolmaster of
antiquity who caused a whole audience to
tremblo with a threat OF future displeasure
But the senate might have passed this by.
Today, however, continued Mr.. Turpie, a
publication appeared in the newspapers
which had apparently become the messen-
gers between the State department and con-
gress, and messengers which the senators
uld not disparage, to the effect that a com
pact had been entered into between the
M q nj nd tlha Ia
Shermam by which there was to be no fur
ther action on Cuba during the present ad-
mlnlstratlon.
ALLOW me to say" proceeded Mr. Turpie,
that regard such a course a violation OF
the comity existing between the legislative
and executive branches OF the government.
II has been done only once before, when Mr.
Canning"
Mr. Sherman arose at this moment, while
Mr.. Turpie's reference to the Canning incl
dent was unfinished, ard said: IF the
senator refers to a publication today, | viii
say there Is not The slightest warrant for
the statement made have not had a word
with Mr.. Olney on that subject and there
has been no meation OF an understanding or
agreement"
Mr.. Turpe said he vas glad to accept this
disavowel. but &c telt the senate should do
something to dssipate such reports.
Whatever the difference may be as to
the recognition Of the Independence of Cuba {"
continued Mr. Turpe, 81 think every sena-
tor here favored the independence OF the
senate"
DISCUSS ARBITR ALTON TREATY.
This sentence had hardly been concluded
when 1t was followed by genuine sensa-
tiOn In the form OF a discussion of the new
Anglo-American peace treaty, notwithstand-
ing the rule OF referring to treaties only in
executive session. 1t brought out state
ments from Mr.. Sherman. Mr.. Cullom, Mr..
Lodge and Mr.. Gray, members of the COM
mittee on foreign relations, and from many
other senator's.
MIR Hoar precipitated the discussion. In
presenting a petition from a chamber of
commerce. favorlng the speedy ratification
of the treaty. the Massachusetts senator
added some observations on the public
pressure on the senate A great many
prominent men and organizations were
telegraphing and writing TO him urging inn
mediate action on the treaty
Il suppose there 10 no man in this body"
proceeded Mr.. Hoar. who does not hail
as one of the great events of the century
the conclusion OF this treaty. But Il
should not be forgotten that the treaty is
not an accomplished fact until the senate
has examined and passed upon It," The
senate had not yet acted and in
his judgment 1t was diplomacy to
have the heated utterances directed
TO senators telling them what to do made
public. What II 1t should turn out that there
was hidden advantage to England or some
disadvantage to the United States in the
treaty which both parties would correct. In
that case, when Mr.. Olney suggested a change
was II wise to arm Lord Salisbury with the
reply that the American public had ex-
pressed its opinion favorable to the treaty
as II was. "While no man Is more desirOus
than myself to see the era of peace on earth
and good will towards men," added Mr.
Hoar, yet wish TO enter my protest against
the meddlng with the serious duty of sena-
tors, either by sermons or by professors lee
turos,"
TIME To SETTLE PEACEFULLY.
BY this time the galleries had filed, sena-
tors had come in from the cloak rooms, and
there was intense interest in the discussion
Mr.. Sherman said there was interest In
his state in view OF his early entry to the
head OF the State department from his
present position chairman ON foreign
relations. mo one is more ready than my
self" said Mr.. Sherman, ito congratulate
the country on the great achievement OF con-
cluding this treaty OF arbitration. The
time has come when the nations of the
world should turn their attention to the
settlement OF differences by peaceful
methods instead OF a resort to war"
At the same time, Mr., Sherman said,
the treaty was one involving such grave
considerations that It should have the most
careful. mature and dispassionate consdera-
tion. That was the present purpose OF the