The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-14
IN AN AWFUL MIDDLE
Each Additional Question on the Arbitra
tion Treaty Raises Forty More.

Washington. Feb. l3-The discussion
Of the arbitration treaty in the senate
today took the course Of constitutional
debate. II was precipitated by the pre-
seEtation OF an amer dment by Mr.. Tur-
pie OF Indiana. 10 the first article of the
treaty. providing that the questions to
be submitted to arbitration must be con-
sidered and proposed by the treaty-mak-
ing power. the president and the senate.
This was the amendment referred TO by
Senator Sherman yesterday. which he
SAL the committee on foreign relations
would propose. While 1t was not pre-
scented as committee amendment. It had
the sanction Of the majority of the mem
bers Of that committee.
Senator 1urpie stated that he did not
think that the amendment was neces-
sary but il was presented TO meet the
apprehensions Of some senators who
feared that the senate would be estOpped
from all participation in questions aris-
ing unde rthe treaty.
Senator Gray of Delaware opposed the
amendment on the ground that il was a
radical departure from the presidents OF
the past. and that II in fact extended the
powers Of the senate far beyond any,
thing contemplated by the constitution
Senator Lodge answered Mr.. Gray and
asserted that the amendment would not
enlarge the powers OF the senate. but
would preserve it's right as part Of the
treatymaking power of the government
Then there was a general discussion Of
the constitutional question. involving the
subject OF the powers Of the senate and
the prerogative of the executive. Sen
ator Hoar made an elaborate presenta-
ton OF the legal side of the question. and
contended that the amendment would nov
enlarge the power OF the senate. as as
serted by Senator Gray.
Senator's Lindsay. Teller. Bacon. Pal
rer, Mills and others participated in the
debate. One of the most important point.
was made by Senator Chandler. who said
that the effect OF the amendment would
be % compel new treaty 20 be made
every time subject was 10 be submitted
N arbitration. Another point raised and
discussed at some length was whether
in case the Turpie amendment was aio9t
81. II II would mean that majority ~
;be senate or twO-ihirds OF the body.
should pass upon the subject proposed
for arbitration. This, in view OF fhs
point made by Senator Chandler. became
quite All important factor in the debate
during the day.
tile new amendment presented today by
Mr.. Turpie. II was doubtful whether ar
bitTation agreements would 20 70 the
senate alone or 70 congress az a whole.
and l. was shown that In the latter event
a majority vote only would be necss-
sary. The different members % the com
niiJtes did not appear 20 agree 81 this
question. and Senator Teller made nc
point tina, II the members 81 the CON-
m!ttse. wlo we're giving thes ubject g.
pedal study. G uld no; unite in an Inter
pre-stiOn, il vas 10 wonder thai other
senator's. H1@ss time was largely aiken
~ wiki other subjects. had difficulty in
understanding the probable effect % the
document He argued from this the re-
cessity for pOs;ponsmeut OF further con-
sheraton until senator's could have
time 10 investigate 20 the close Of the SEA-
sion
Senator Mills took strong Erounss
ags.nss the government OF the UnIssd
States unnecessarily taking upon .tsel.
European enlargement. and coaiendsi
FOR al independent American policy. He
made the point that ne treaty offered 10
alternative y case o, the refusal or mem
5eTs Of the supreme court % serve as ar
b;trssors.
Senator Palmer ooE;euded that there
could De 10 -fss Il accepting ne tresfy.
ard sad. for hir1self.he mad seen enoBKh
- = sr 10 be wiling q accept any sEre--
nsur that would ten 20 SECURE peace
between I-EsiCns-
Nearly al q ne senator's wno tzs.e1
bad sccne-h ag % say about iae { fHcEify
0tgsvinz me trtsfy the e11sl6ersflor 10
importance demsnde1 - tbs s@Esl1n.
End xs-e . ihe opinion ;hst u wosit ~
better % have i over a. tbs neat 49,
~ s'clocz Senator HI foo< TIE for
s1S sail tina t1e senate zss sired All
bat i Vas fsu3e 70 sdtourn. TIE ssaa-
.~rs t~sT.t 20 give sgrDr attention =
a<ss eso-..< p5ntsncs- Taey rad 0esa u
Z DIVA tGEy elise %. 8 xs-x and EeEs