The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-01-12
HOW TREATY WAS RECEIVED.

HOW tREHIY Y WAS RECElVED.
Senate Becomingly Dignified Bnt House
Members Give Unqualified Approval.
Washington, January 1.-The general
treaty of arbitration between this gov
ernment and Great Britain reached the
Senate this afternoon while Senator Mills
was making his speech ON Cuba. 1t was
not laid before the Seuate until the doors
bad closed in executive session. In ac-
cordance with the usual custom of con-
vention it was not even read for informa-
tiou. The seal was broken and the Vice
President announced that the general
treaty of arbitration had been received.
Upon motion OF Mr.. Sherman it was
ordered reported to the committee on
foreign relations, of which ne is chair
man and that reference was made with
out any Senator being given the privilege
of hearing the document read. 1t will
be printed and copies marked "cOnfi-
Dental" will be ready for EenatoIs when
the next executive session is held.
Owing to the prominence given this
treaty in the press, and the fact that its
text had been discounted by the pubiica-
tion of numerous abstracts, it was sug-
of secrecy he removed from it. The more
SO was this argued when 1t was under
stood the President had given but the
text of his letter of transmittal. The
suggestion was not pushed, prominent
member of the COMMITTEES obs serving that
the committee would consider that sub
iect Mt its next meeting. 1t is thought
the Senate be persuaded to forego It's
usual reticence and give the press the
faY Of h0 n0nVnntinn Tha SanAtOfS
who in g general way know the contents
of-the treaty, decline to discuss 1T for
publication.
Messrs. Cullom, Villas and Chandler
withous referring to this particular con-
vention, asserted the belief in the general
doctrine of arbitration, but beyond that
would say nothing. The views Of the
that the convention will receive most
careful scrutiny, and it will not he
rushed through the Senate with undue
haste. II it is found foreign sovereign
is designated as umpire in event the
court as prescribed in the treaty cannot
agree, it is understood there will be very
vigorous opposition to this article. 1t tho
matters to be considered by this country g
court includes such troublesome questions
violent opposition to ratification OF the
document.
In q general way 1t may be said the
Senate will Insist on having great deal
to say about this treaty, and it must
coincide with the views Of the Senate II
every particular. or Secretary Olney will
find the measure he has spoken OF so
highly, Is doomed to failure before tha
Senate The subject will come up before
the com mittse on foreign relations We'd
nesday. That the general principle OF
arbitratinR international disputes, finds
favor with the members of the House
was evidenced today by unanluity with
which the Anglo-Amerioan treaty re-
ceived their approval. Representatives
from every section of the country, reflect
ing every shade of political opinion, were
spoken with. From each came ex-
pressions of cordial satisfaction. There
was not discordant note Secretary ol-
ney incidentally came in for large
share of praise, which was az freely re-.
slowed by Republicans as by members OF
his own political faith.
Tho proposed treaty consisted or
fifteen articles. Shortly after twelve,
the British ambassador reached the stare
Department. Il He had. this morning re,
oeived final cablegeam from Lora