The news & observer., 1897-02-10
TREATY DISCUSSED
Senator Morgan Wants Nlcara-
qua Canal Made Secure.
CHANGES MUST BE MADE
AND TOO THE CLAYTON--BULWER
TREATY MUST DIE.
BACON SUGGESTS A SECTION
He Wants the Reconstruction Bond
Claims Quieted-- Morgan Says Eng
land tIas Broken the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty at Will.


Washington, ID. c., Feb. 9.-The most
important developments concerning the
consideration of the arbitration treaty
by the Senate in executive session to-day
were the offering of an amendment by
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, providing
for the abrogation Of the Clayton Bulwer
treaty, and the speech by the same Sena
tor in favor of this proposition. Senator
Morgan declared that the conditions
which called forth the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty had long passed away. 1t was no
longer binding on either nation, nor was
it of any use or value to this 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 abrogation
OF the Clayton-Bulwer treaty in effect
would have to be submitted to arbitration.
While the old treaty was obsolete and
disregarded, yet it was still used as
menace and bug-a-boo to the United
States whenever the construction of the
Nicaragua canal was advocated. Great
Britain, declared Senator Morgan, had
violated the treaty and abrogated it by
occupying a portion of the territory of
Honduras. Great Britain would use the
treaty Of arbitration to her advantage and
the Clayton Bulwcr treaty would be used
in the same way unless it was declared to
he void. There was no better occasion
for abrogating the Clayton Bulwer treaty
than by so providing in this arbitration
treaty. said Mr.. Morgan.
Another important amendment was
offered by Senator Bacon, of Georgia.
1t provides for a modification Of article
s, so as TO relieve the Southern States
from amy obligations that might arise un-
der the bonds issued in the reconstruction
days The amendment was the result of
a conference among the Southern Sena-
tors who concluded that the article might
render it possible 10 make these bonds
when held by subjects of Great Britain,
the object Of arbitration. Mr., Bacon
sought an opportunity during the day TO
address the Senate on the amendment,
but was prevented by the fact that Sena
tor Morgan held the floor all day.
When Senator Morgan renewed his re
marks he stated that the treaty before
the Senate should be amended so as to
except I'm definite terms the Nicaragua
canal and everything relating to that
enterprise. He dwelt at length upon this
phase Of the treaty and he read from a
number of reports bearing on the sub
ject showing the interest of the United
States in that part of the continent
which the Senator declared was more VI
tai than any treaty that could be made
with Great Britain.
Senator Morgan at $50 concluded his
speech, but said he would discuss other
phases of the treaty before vote was
reached.
A number Of amendments have been
prepared which Will be offered in the
course Of the debate. Among them is
one directing that all subjects Of arbitra-
ton must first be submitted TO the Presi-
dent and the Senate before being sent to
the tribunal provided for in the treaty
Another excepts from matters subject to
the treaty, the Alaskan boundary dis
pute, also any controversy as to the
boundary line in the straits of Fuca,
which separate Vancouver Island from
Washington State.
The friends Of the treaty did not enter
the debate to-day. During the day Sen
ator Teller stated that he wanted it un-
derstood that the silver men were not
opposing the treaty as silver men and that
no opposition was being made to it be-
cause it affected the silver interests.
There were other and sufficient grounds
upon which to base their objections.
The suggestion raised by Senator
Daniel in the committee on foreign rela-
tions as to whether the difference be-
tween the price of silver and gold Tin
case this country goes to a silver basis)
should be made thesubject of arbitration,
did not receive much consideration nor
did it attract any particular notice.
The proceedings connected with the
consideration of the treaty on it's merits
were to-day far less exciting and va
ried than on yesterday and it was impos-
sible to hold the Senators in their seats
while it proceeded.
The early part Of the session, however,
was by no means so devoid of interest |
The first two hours were given to dis
eussion of the full report of yesterdays |
secret session, that were printed in the |
papers this morning. Senator Vest |
sprang this subject as soon as the conhr- |
nations were disposed of. The time was |
devoted to a discussion of the methods |
of the modern news seeker which was |
more in the nature of fault finding than |
Of criticism of their accuracy The re- /
ports We're generally complimented for
their accuracy and the majority of the
remarks were to an effort to explain
their appearance. Senator Vest asserted
that no one but a trained newspaper I
man could give the proceedings in such
detail as sent out by the Associated
Press and contended that an expert must
be employed in the chamber.
When every one had talked on this