New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-17
PRICE THREE CENTS
VIEWS FREELY EXCHANGED.
MR. SHERMAN CONFERs WITH THE FOR
EIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE.


CANAL AND THE CUBAN SITUATION DIS
cTssED-THE OLD POLICY OF DrsrRUsr
AND SECRECY APPARENTLY FINDS
NO FAVOR WITH THE
NEW ADMINISTRATION.
WASHINGTON, March 16-Tkere Is every indca.
ton of a much freer interchange OF views and Of
condolences between the State Department and
the Committee Foreign Relations OF the Sem
ate since the advent Of the new Administration.
The visit of Secretary Sherman to the Capitol
this afternoon was entirely unexpected, and the
first that known OF it was when. after his
luncheon, a messenger informed Chairman Davis
that Mr.. Sherman in the commttee-room
An impromptu meeting was called, and for an
hour the committee and the Secretary OF
State conferred about this countrys relations
with other Powers
Mr.. Sherman naturally anxious TO know
what headway had been made with the Arbtra-
tion Treaty, and when he was told that II was ex-
pected to make favorable report tomorrow.
the Secretary expressed his pleasure. 1t is we'll
known that President Mckinley and his Secre-
tary approve the treaty and the purpose for
which II was negotiated, but believe that IL should
be amended in some particulars. Secretary Sher-
man expressed his satisfaction at the determina-
ton which had been reacheu Dy the COfnnttee
to leave the scope Of the treaty untouched. but to
make such changes in its administrative features
as would leave intact the treaty making power Of
the United States This is to be accomplished BY
an amendment providing that all questions to be
submitted for arbitration under the general
treaty shall first be submitted to the Senate for
its approval or dsapproval. This places the
United States on the same footing with Great
Britain in this matter. Mr. Sherman urged that
the treaty be reported and pushed forward In the
Senate with as much speed as the magnitude or
the subject would Justify.
There also considerable discussion relative
to the construction OF the Nicaragua Canal. .
question which is bound TO come prominently
to the front in this Congress. Mr. Sherman
favors this project. but has taken the ground
in his speeches in the Senate that the canal
should be constructed through the instrument
tality Of the United States alone. rather than
through the agency Of private corporation
aided and assisted by this Government In the
matter OF bonds only a few days before the
expiration Of the LIVth Congress and immedi-
ately following the protest OF Minister Rodriguez
OF the Greater Republic of Central America. Mr.
Sherman referred TO the Frelinghuysen Zayala
treaty sent to the Senate on December III. 1884.
by President Arthur. and Withdrawn by Presl-
dent Cleveland at the instance or Secretary
Bayard within days alter MS accession 10
office in March, 1881. Under the terms of this
treaty Nicaragua offered to give 20 the United
States absolute control of her territory so far
az the construction of this canal was concerned.
Mr. Sherman in his speech said he hoped this
treaty could be revived and much said
that when he became Secretary OF State this
question would be investigated
1t Is understood that he told the committee
to-day he had hopes Of securing Another con-
cesson from Nicaragua. and that the initial
steps with that end in view would soon be taken.
k,Iia hkr fh.4 nflF m
Sherman does not il is said, dispute the PROPOSE
ton that the Clayton-Bu Bulwer treaty Will oper-
ate to prevent the negotiation of a treaty with
the Greater Republic Nicaragua. Mr.. Nor
gan, however. proposes to get rid Of this OBJ
iectiOnable convention if possil L.. and later I'm
the afternoon. after :he conference with Mr.
sherman. offered his joint resolution declaring
the CLAYTON BUlWer treaty ahrogated
While Mr. Sherman was present the Cuban
situation was touched upon, and, while members
decline to make any statements about what
took place in the committee-room. they all ap-
pear to be pleased with the conference. II WAS
openly said that the Senate and the country
would he put in possession of all the facts con-
cernirg the troubles in Cuba. and that the policy
of suppressng the news would no longer pre-
vail Asa result OF this conference, II Is said
that several resolutions may soon he introduced
asking for information and correspondence
which have hitherto been suppressed. and which
the committee has assurances will be promptly
transmitted to the Senate and the country.