The herald., 1897-02-09
= ;bdsSd a., gSs genate took up the treaty

s. 3'p0sed 81, rhs seiiate took up the treaty
zAupon it's merits.
Il Senator Sherman, chairman OF the for
! leigh relations committee, spoke for
about an hour making a strong plea
for the ratification of the treaty, which,
\ he urged. was the realzationsof g dream
which had long sbeen cherished in the
United States. He quoted historical
works and congressional reports to SHOW
that arbitration was a distinctively
American policy, and referred to the
RESOLUTIONS of 1889 and 1898 as proofs OF
this statement. He also explained the
amendments made by the committee
on foreign relations, and defended the
main amendments as essential to the
proper understanding and interpreta-
tion of the agreement. He urged that
this amendment did not detract from the
treaty's scope, except that through re-
moving the Monroe doctrine from arbi-
tration it almost removed the opposition
of the Nicaragua canal, which was, ne
said embraced in the Monroe doctrine.
Senator Sherman contended for the
paramount Importance of the treaty.
and urged the senate to act upon it
without unnecessary delay, as only by
pursuing this course is it possible that
the wish Of the country and the expecta-
tions of the civilized world would he
met He said the amendment climinaJ-
ing the king of Sweden and Norway as
:, umpire had been made after due de-
liberation, and this step was only taken
as a precaution against unwelcome
complications. In conclusion, the SEN
ator said it would be a great mistake
for the senate to repudiate the treaty
mistake which would forfeit much of
the high regard felt toward the Unite |
States as nation of peace-lovers, an1
might exert serious influence upon
the progress of the world in the settle
n1anf Of 1isnI.taS N-ithn1t IN, ~ fot h
atrocities of war.
! Senator Morgan replied to Mr.. Sher-
man, speaking in opposition to the
treaty. The Alabama senator's argu-
ment was largely constitutional in ten
dency. He dwelt with special emphasis
upon its sweeping character, claiming
that in delegating, as the treaty does.
to the president the right to determine
for this country the circumstances under
which arbitration shall be resorted to,
1t robbed congress of prerogative es-
pecially conferred upon it.
In reply to question from Senator
Vest, put so as to show that such was
the Missouri senator's conviction, Sen
ator Morgan said he believed the ratifi-
cation of the treaty would amount to
an abrogation of the rights of the SEN
ate to cooperate with the executive in
the making of treaties
Senator Morgan said there proba bly,
were few Americans who would be Will
ing to announce themselves as opposed
to the principle of arbitration, but it
did not follow that every one must swal-
low the first measure which professed to
put into execution this method of set
Ting disputes between nations He
said it behooved all persons to regard
with especial caution the overtures of
Great Britain in such an interest, and
remarked that the island kingdom had
q ia 1IN-l Co., L i
votion to the welfare of the United
States.
senator Morgan was speaking when
the senate adjourned. His and MI
Sherman's were the only set speeches
made. but there We're many other brief
utterances. Senator Daniel intimated
opposition to ratification on account of
the danger of entangling alliances and
Senator Turpie asked number Of ques-
tions pointing in the same direction.
Senator Nelson made a plea for the
retention of the clause continuing King
Oscar of Norway anG Sweden as umpire
He contended Oscar was q benign ruler
and a man whose sympathiec We're
largely with America. He said the
treaty of 1885 between Sweden, England
and France had long since lost its sig
nihcance, as it was negotiated during
the Crimean war for the purpose of pre-
venting an alliance between Sweden and
Russia which would have resulted in
blocking the Baltic sea against the al
lied powers.
Intimations were given of several
amendments other than those proposed
by the foreign relations committee,
among others one definitely withdraw
ing the Alaskan boundary as a subject
of arbitration, and another modifying
the clause in regard to the arbitration
of claims affecting the various states
which some regard as uncons titutional
in it's present shape. Mr.. Sherman gave
notice that he would ask the senate to
take up the question again tomorrow
and to sit it out"