The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-25
THE ARBITRATION TREATY.
Senator's still Fighting for Further
Changes I'm the Document.


WASHINGTON. March Ex-senator Da-
Wis. chairman of the Senate committee on
foreign relations. made a determined effort
to-day to secure unanimous consent TO fix
day when the final vote should be taken on
the arbitration treaty, but only succeeded
to the extent of obtaining an agreement 10
a time for a vote on the miscellaneous
amendments The executive session con-
tinued from 1890 until o'clock. Considera-
bic time was spent in contention over the
effort to secure a time for a vote. and II
was only after decided controversy that the
opponents of ratification agreed 10 a date
for voting on the amendments. They based
their opposition on the'fact that there were
a good many absentees whom they consid-
cred it desirable TO have in the Senate when
the vote should be taken.
The understanding as TO the vote on the
amendments was reached on a plan out
lined by Senator Hoar. Ii provides that the
general discussion of the amendments shall
continue until o'clock on Wednesday of
next week, when vote Is 10 be taken on
those which may be pending al that time:
that in case any of the amendments are
agreed TO. the treaty as amended shall be
printed and returned to the Senate and
shall still be open 10 amendment. but that
the final vote on amendments shall bS
taken at o'clock the following day, Thurs
day.
The main debate of the day was on the
Chiffon amendment. providing for submit
ting all agreements for arbitration made
under the treaty 10 the Senate for its ap-
proval before entering upon a course of set
tlement. Senator Morgan supported the
amendment. He announced himself as OPP
posed 10 the treaty in any shape. but said
that If it was 10 be ratified at all the
amendment should by all means be accept
ed. otherwise the treaty would be subvers-
i've of some OF our most cherished Amer
Senator Lodge made a strong plea for the
treaty without further amendment. He said
that, while always a warm advocate OF the
principle OF arbitration, he had from the
first contended for amendments which
would render the treaty acceptable TO the
American public. lie felt satisfied. he said.
that the modincations made in committee
had accomplished completely the purpose.
and that the document as amended Was one
that would commend itself TO every sup-
porter of pcaceable methods for the adjust
ment of disputes and to every friend OF hu-
manity. He thought no other amendments
were necessary. He also held that the COM
mittee amendments would in effect require
the submission of all amendments under
the treaty 10 the Senate. Senators Davis
and Hoar made brief speeches. practically
IL was apparent during the session that
the friends OF the treaty hold that the COM
mittee amendments will accomplish. though
In more diplomatic pnraseology. the end
sought TO be attained by the Chiffon
amendment. Several senator's among them
Messrs. Thurston and Spooner. asked N this
were the case why IL should not be ex-
plicitly stated as In the Chiffon provision
They advanced the idea that the adoption
OF this language might have the effect OF
preventing future Observation-Disclosures.
Criticised by London Editors.
LONDON. March 2i-The afternoon pa
pers here bitterly criticise the action or the
United States Senate In the case of the ar
bitration treaty. The ST. James Gazette
says: The senators carried their point with
that refinement OF pettfoggers cunning
which enables certain minds To gain their
end without expressing H. The amended
treaty not only does not improve the pres
ent conditions. but IL renders arbitration
practically impossible, as while now ther9
is no obstacle !n the way OF an agreement
TO arbitrate. hereafter such agreement must
be approved by a two-thirds majority OF the
Senate. i'm which the parties are generally
pretty evenly divided.
The Westminster Gazette says: 1T Il n
very disappointing and disconcerting result
of all the endeayors OF Lord Salisbury and