Evening journal., 1897-02-10
MORE TALK ON TREATY
Abrogation of Clayton-Bulwer
Convention Suggested.
SENATOR MORGANs AMENDMENT.
Further Changes Proposed In the Anglo
American Arbitration Proposed House
Passes the Amended Immigration Bill.
More Pension Bills Passed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10-The open ses-
sion of the senate was wholly perfunctory,
and after transacting some routine busi-
ness the doors were closed and an exec
utiye session held for the further consider
alton Of the Anglo-American arbitration
treaty.
The most important developments were
the Offering of an amendment by Senator
Morgan of Alabama providing for the alb
rogation Of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and
the speech by the same senator in favor of
this proposition. Senator Morgan declared
that the conditions which called forth the
Clayton-B -Bulwer treaty had long passed
away. 1t was no longer binding on either
nation, nor was it Of any use or value to
TINS nation, though it might be of great
Importance to Great Britain in case the
Nicaragua canal was constructed. With
the treaty now under consideration he
said that no doubt the question of the alb
rogation Of the Clayton -Bulwer treaty in
effect would have to be submitted to arbi-
tration. While the old treaty was obsolete
and disregarded, yet it was still used as a
menace and bugaboo to the United States
whenever the construction of the Nicara-
qua canal was advocated. Great Britain
declared Senator Morgan, had violated the
treaty and abrogated it by occupying
portion Of the territory of Honduras Great
Britain would use the treaty of arbitration
to her advantage, and the Clayton Buwef
treaty would be used in the same way un-
less it was declared to be void. There was
no better occasion for abrogating the Clay
-Buiwer treaty than by so providing in
this arbitration treaty, said Mr. Morgan.
Senator Bacons Amendment.
Another important amendment was Of
fered by Senator Bacon of Georgia 1t pro
vides for "a modification of article s. so as
TO relieve the southern states from any
obligations that might arise under the
bonds issued in the reconstruction days.
The amendment was the result of con
ference among the southern senator's, who
concluded that the article as it now stands
might render it possible to make these
bonds, when held by subjects of Great
Britain, the object of arbitration. Mr. Ba-
con sought an opportunity to address the
senate on the amendment, but was pre-
vented by the fact that Senator Morgan
held the floor.
When Senator Morgan renewed his re-
marks, he stated that the treaty before the
senate should be amended so as to except
in definite terms the Nicaragua canal and
everything relating to that enterprise. He
dwelt at length upon this phase Of the
treaty and read from a number of reports
bearing on the subject, showing the inter
est of the United States in that part of the
continent, which the senator declared was
more vital than any treaty which could be
made with Great Britain.
A number of amendments have been
prepared which win bo offered in the
course Of the debate. Among them is one
declaring that all subjects Of arbitration
must first be submitted to the president
and senate before being sent to the tribunal
provided for in the treaty. Another excepts
from matters subject to the treaty the
Alaskan boundary dispute, also any con-
troversy as to the boundary line in the
straits Of Fuca, which separate Vancouver
island from Washington state.
Attitude OF Silver Men.
Senator Teller stated that he wanted it
understood that the silver men were not
opposing the treaty as silver men. and that
no opposition was being made TO it because
It affected the silver interests. There were
other and sufficient grounds upon which
to base their objections. The suggestion
read by Senator Daniel in the committee
on foreign relations as to whether the diff
ference between the price of silver and
gold, in case this country goes to a silver
basis, should be made the subject of arbi-
tration, did not receive much consideration
hbA 0Al AZ AAf AttNN any HnAAlAulaA IONlNt
1t is probable that the treaty will not
be taken up again before Friday and pos
sibly its consideration will not be resumed
this week. Senator Sherman has agreed to
yield to Senator Lodge tomorrow TO get up
the conference report on the immigration
bill.
Immigration Bill In the House.
The house agreed to the final conference
report on the immigration bill by an over
whelming majority, the vote heing 2l7 to
33, and passed two more pension bills over
the presidents veto.
The notifications of the immigration
bill contained in the conference report hy
which an intending immigrant was re-
quired to be able to read and write the
English or any other language and which
permitted the illiterate wife and minor
children TO accompany an eligible immi-
grant, removed the main opposition to the
bill, but Messrs Mahany (Rep) of New
York, Mcguire (Dem.) of California and
Keifer (Rep.) of Minnesota opposed the
whole theory of the bill on general princi-
pies Mr.. Bartholdt (Rep) of Missouri
and Mr. Mccall (Rep.l of Massachusetts
both spoke in favor of the bill as modified.
The benefciaries of the pension bills
passed over the veto were both of the class
known as remarked widows " Nh. Cleve-
land has disapproved a number of these
bills, but he has also allowed several tc
become laws without his signature.
A resolution was adopted appointing
John Marshall Brown of Maine to the va
cancy on the board Of managers Of the Ma
tional Home For Disabled Volunteers
made vacant by the death of George L.
Beal
Several minor bills were passed, among
them one TO commission missed assistant
surgeons of the navy.
The Question of Armor Plate.