Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-14
ARBITRATION TREATY
MAJORITY OF COMMITTEE UNcOM-
PORTABLE ABOUT 1T.
MILLS OPPOSES 1T EARNESTLY.
There Is Little Likelihood Now of
Its Being Acted On During the
Present session-senatorinl Differ
cnces IrreconciIabIe.

eign Relations this morning made II ap-
parent that no agreement could be reached
| on the general treaty of arbitration with
Great Britain that would bring the con-
tending factions, either In committee or
in the Senate, together. While Mr.. sher-
man was not told so in exact words, the
Inference to be drawn from what Messrs.
Morgan, Daniel, and Cameron said was
that under no circumstances could this
treaty be ratified at the present session
of the Senate.
After an hour and half spent in dis
cussion, the committee framed an amend
ment along the lines indicated in the dis
patches Of the Southern Associated Press.
1t is based upon the amendment Of which
Mr. Morgan gave notice, and puts into
language the Interpretation placed upon
the convention by Mr.. Turpie. 1t provides
that all subjects TO be submitted to arbi-
tration under the general treaty must be
submitted after the manner and in the
form provided for the submission and
ratification Of treaties originally. This re-
| moves the objections aimed at the treaty
that the submission of all subjects to
arbitration under the treaty as now word
ed would be left entirely to the President.
If 1t is amended as suggested by the COM
mittees action of this morning, only such
matters as have been agreed TO by the
full treaty-making power of the United
States-the President and the Senate, act
ing jointly-can be submitted to arbitra-
ton. Tho power to negotiate and con-
clude treaties in Great Britain is lodged
entirely in the Crown, and is exercised
for the Crown by the Premier. There has
been no suggestion that the British treaty
making power has been changed by the
terms Of this treaty, and Mr.. Turpie's
contention was that in like manner the
full treaty-making power Of the United
States was to sit in judgment upon all
subjects that were sought to be taken
before this high tribunal Of arbitration.
The Senate did not agree with Mr.. Tur-
pie in his Interpretation, but found the
easiest way to a possible solution of the
problem confronting it in giving express
sion to that Interpretation in the text or
the convention. With such amendment
the treaty is safeguarded absolutely, and
the friends OF the instrument say there
should not be a dissenting vote in ratlty-
ing it, for the reason that every question
would then come up before the existing
Senate as an original proposition.
The action of the committee in adopting
the amendment did not bring about har-
mony. On the contrary, the more the
whole subject was discussed, the more
evident it became that the differences
were irreconcilable Messrs. Morgan.
Daniel. Mills. and Cameron refused 10
consider the treaty in favorable light,
even after they had voted for the amend
ment. They opposed the convention on
general grounds, and said Ii was impossi-
bic for them to believe that the country
would be benefited by its ratification, at
the present time, at least. They refused
to listen to the pleading Of Mr. Sherman
and his associates, and declined to even
admit that the amendment had accom-
plished what had been sought.
MAJORITY UNCOMFORTABLE.
The committee adjourned with the ma
iority feeling anything but comfortable
over the outlook. Mr.. Sherman noti-
fed his colleagues that he should move
an executive session early in the day
for the purpose of testing the sense or
the Senate, and intimated, as he did on
the floor last evening, that II there was
no possibility of a speedy vote, he would
not further press consideration Of the
Il.
for an executive session few minutes
after the Senate convened, refusing TO
weld to anything but the most routine
of morning business.
Early in the executive session, Senator
Chandler offered an amendment TO the
convention, in the shape OF an addl-
tional article, which is, in fact, decla-
ration. 1t states that both the con-
tracing parties, in making this treaty,
30 it for the purpose OF enunciating
their belief in the principle OF interna-
tional arbitration, and to bring ABOUT
If possible the policy of a general dis
armament among the nations. 1t Is fur
Their declared that each of the contract
ing parties expresses its willingness TO
make and intention of making similar
treaties with other nations, including
not only those that are strong and able
to defend themselves, and who nave large
military establishments, but also the
smaller families of nations, with whom
differences similar to those covered by
this treaty might arise.
Mr. Teller, of Colorado, was one OF
the first speakers. He advocated a post
ponement of consideration OF the treaty
until after the 4th of March, when the
Senate would be in extra session, with
annie time to look into the instrument.
The debate of the afternoon reVolved
about a question of the proper inter-
pretation of the words used by the COM
mittee in it's new amendment, which
proyides that all matters Tor arpitra-
ton shall first be submitted to the senate
for its approval" What was meant
by the word approval was the question
generally asked, and TO when no satls-
factory answer appears TO nave Deen
given. There was also wide diHer-
ence of opinion among senators as 10
whether under this amendment such ap-
nroval would have to be given by
tvo-thirds vote, or by majority only.
some commended that, inasmuch as the
whole Congress had to appropriate the
money 70 meet the expenses OF the aroi-
tration. the Congress might have Volca
In the settlement Of the matters 10 De
There was no regular debate on this
subject. 1t consisted entirely or ques-
tions and cross-questions, absolutely no
conclusion being reached. Senators Gray
1Ilrpie. Lodge Sherman, Daniel, DAVIS
Lindsay Caffery and Hoar participates.
NJ Caffery. who to-day for the first time
aiscussed the treaty came out strongly
for n and advocated its speedy ratifca-
ton. aor,r,o>,
tr Mills finally got the floor and made
the only set speech of the day. Mr.. Mills
is at ali times an impetuous and vehement
naLar He was unusually free to-day,
ga haine unrestrained by the galleries,
unhosoued himself In way tnat ieit no
SnvSt about the depth Of his opposition
% the treaty. He opposed 1t on general
srounds for the reason that it not only
s,.ant TOO far. but was bad In principle.
ne aid not believe II right that the pres
10 ssnate should by any general arrange
49, .bn poWpr of the Senate TO