Evening star., 1897-03-23
THE ARBITRATION TREATY
Some Of the Amendments Agreed to in the
Executive Session.
The Only Yea md Nay yote-Some In
dfvfdual Amendments Suggested
Good Progress Made.

The Senate made considerable progress
yesterday toward the final ratification OF
the Anglo-American arbitration treaty,
and before the long executive session closed
all the amendments recommended by the
committee on foreign relations were agreed
10 without division. These amendments
are:
i. To provide that all agreements for
arbitration entered into by the executive
branch of this government with the Brit
ish government shall be subject to the rati.
fication of the Senate.
2. Striking out the provision constituting
members of the United States Supreme
Court permanent members of the proposed
tribunal of arbitration, and
3. Eliminating the provision for an UNI
pire, and. therefore. striking out the pro-
vision agreeing upon King Oscar OF Sweden
and Norway for this office.
The principal debate of the day arose on
an amendment to the committee amend
ment I'm regard to the Supreme Court,
offered by Senator Morgan. and ii was up
on this amendment that the only aye and
nay vote occurred. Senator Morgan moved
to strike out the words '.jurists Of repuie,'
which the committee proposed TO substitute
at the points where Justices of the Cnited
States Supreme Court were mentioned In
articles ] ii and VI of the treaty. The de-
bate was participated in on the one side
by Senator Morgan and on the other by
Senators Davis and Lodge, who opposed
the motion.
on the roll call on the amendment to
article III the vote WAS 10 to 25.aE1 on that
to article VI IL was "a to 26. The reason
for the increased vote on the second prop
osition was the belief on the part of some
senators that as the article in regard to
territorial claims provides that some of
the British members of the arbitral tri-
bunal shall be members of the supreme
court of judicature of Great Britain. the
American Supreme Court should also be
recognized to act in the same capacity.
With the committee amendments dis
posed of Individual senators We're recog-
nized to suggest amendments. One OF
these. presented by Senator Mason, pro-
vided that all members of the board of ar
bitration should be American-born citizens.
This was promptly and without debate laid
on the table on the motion of Senator Nell
SON Senator Foraker also suggested an
amendment providing for a separate tri-
bunal for the settlement of each question
il might arise under the treaty. This
amendment was not reached I'm the discus
sion, but Senator Bacon said that IL IL
could be adopted he would feel justified in
withdrawing his amendment eliminating
the claims against southern states from the
operation of the treaty.
An amendment offered by Senator Chill
ton provoked some very spirited speeches
toward the close of the days session. This
amendment provides that the senate shall
submitted to arbitration, and declares for
the principle of arbitration in settling all
international disputes.
This amendment was attacked as being
calcu culated to rob the treaty OF its distnc-
tive characteristics, and IL asserted
that If accepted 1t would leave the agree
ment a mere shell of its formAr self, pos
sessing neither vitality nor character. In
this connection Senator Hoar made an able
and eloquent speech in favor of the treaty.
In his peroration he spoke of the horrors
of and made especial reference to
those of the late war. Around him. he said.
were men who had secured regulations in
the battles for the Union. That was
for principle, such all wars should be.
Wars of such a character that the young
bride gave up her husband and the Wild
owed mother her only son in defense OF
principle should be welcomed.
Senator Stewart followed in the same
patriotic vein, bu; in opposition to the
treaty. Senator Chiffon spoke in behalf OF
his amendment requiring all agreements
made to be subject TO ratification by the
senate.
There was some discussion of the Monroe
doctrine and Senator Morgan took the floor
to address the Senate on this phase of the
treaty when, at 5::i5 o clock the Senate adj
journed.