The herald., 1897-01-23


ton had been up in one form or an
other for twenty years or longer Mr..
Gladstone had made a speech on II in
the house of commons twenty-five years
ago. A delegation came from England
ten years ago bearing request from
number of members of parliament to
arbitrate. The delegation was enter
tanned in Boston and there was favor
able response to their efforts throughout
the country.
It brought out statements from Sher-
man, Cullom, Lodge and Gear, mem
bers of the committee on foreign rela-
tions, and others. Hoar precipitated the
discussion. In presenting a petition
from a chamber of commerce favoring a
speedy ratification of the treaty, the
Massachusetts senator added some OBJ
servations ON the public pressure
brought to bear on the senate. Many
prominent men and organizations We're
telegraphing and writing him regarding
immediate action.
II suppose there is no man in this
body" proceeded Hoar. "who does not
hall as one of the greatest events OF the
century the concession of this treaty.
But it should not be forgotten that the
treaty was not an accomplished fact
until the senate examined and passed
upon it. The senate had not yet acted,
and in his judgment it was poor diplo-
macy to have these heated utteranceS
directed to sena tors telling them they
should act at once. What if 1t should
turn out that there was some intended
advantage to England or disadvantage
to the United States in this, which both
parties would correct? In that case
when Olney suggested the change it was
wise to arm Lord Salisbury with the re-
ply that the American public had eX-
pressed its opinion favorable to the
treaty as 1t was.
.sWbi1a iS dpSirnnS Of
seeing an era of peace on earth and
good will towards men," added Hoar,
yet wish to enter my protest against
meddling with the serious duty of sena-
tors. either by sermons, or professors, or
lectures"
BY this time the galleries had filled.
Senators came in from the cloak rooms
and there was intense interest in the
discussion.
Sherman followed Hoar 'No one is
more ready than myself said Sherman.
ito congratulate the country upon the
great achievement of concluding this
treaty of arbitration. The time has
come when the nations of the world
should turn their attention. to the set
tlement of differences by peaceful meth
DDS instead of a resort to war"
Mr.. Hoar remarked that this idea of
sending word to senators that If they
did not act in twenty-four hours the
quite out of place.
Gray, Democrat of Delaware, a men,
Der of the foreign relations committee,
came into the discussion a this point
What are we going to do about it?'
he asked Hoar. Il do not know that the
public interest in this subject is misdi-
rected, or that we can abate it. An in
difference on the part of the public might
be far more serious than zeal, although
an intemperate zeal may not be the wis
est course. But we, as senator's cannot
restrain the zeal even if it be Incorporate
zeal of the public, so what are we going
to do about it?'
Il answer the senator responded Mr..
Hoar, that we should first point out to
the many well meaning men who ad
dress the senate asking precipitate ac-
tion, that it is unwse to urge the senate
to an unusual course. and this would be
so apparent to them that they would de-
sist.
Mr.. Cullom of Illinois. Republican, an
other member of the committee, followed
Mr.. Gray.
Il want to say word" he began, land
that is in accord with the statement by
the chairman of the committee on foreign
relations. The treaty has been before
it only short While think now there
have been three meetings of the commit
tee since it came in and the treaty was
ready at the first meeting of the COM
mittee and laid over until the second
meeting. Some members of the commit
tee were not present a the second meet
Ing and it went over to aonther meet
ing. There has certainly been no dis
position whatever on the part of the
committee on foreign relations to delay
the treaty for moment after the mem
bers of the committee were satisfied
it was the proper thing to do to ratify
it or to report it favorably. But l want
ed to say especially that in this coun-
try it does not appear to be unani-
nous expression that the treaty should
be ratified as it is. In the letters from
prominent gentlemen from my state this
morning, a part Of them were in favor
of immediate action favorable upon the
treaty. Others We're opposed to the
treaty. So it does not seem to me that
it is an unreasonable thing for the com
mittee on foreign relations to take sucu
time as they deem necessary for the
consideration of the treaty before it
comes to the senate. / believe in the
general proposition. but / am unwilling
to vote for a treaty that is so extensive
in scope as 1t is until | feel myself
certain that ] am doing q thing that is
III the interest of the American people
as well as the world All [ desire is to
be certain before we act favorably upon
1t that it is not tying us up in such a way
that we may find it hereafter to be some
thing we did not expect we We're doing
when we did it. When l am satisfied on
that point | am ready to vote for it, but
not before"
Nlr Lodge, also of the foreign rela-
TORS committee expressed qualification
that his colleague. Mr.. Hoar. had given
expression to his thoughts upon the sub
ject of the arbitration treaty az there
was evidently much misapprehenson
as to the fact that the committee had
been guilty of unnecessary delay in con-
sidering the treaty. This was distinctly
untrue. On the contrary, the commit
tee had exercised the utmos. possible
expedition in considering the treaty
when its vast importance was taken into
consideration. ~ would be,of no service
to the cause of arbitration to make a
treaty that would develop cause of dis
agreement.
Mr.. Hawley Of Connecticut said he
lad been a little surprised to hear of the
prevalence of opinion that the United
States. or the senate at least. IS not
friendly to arbitration or to peace.
Mr.. SeWall warfteG the committee
to take all the time necessary to consid-
er all the delicate points in the treaty
as he for one, did not feel disposed to
vote upon it until he had received all the
light it was possible to obtain.
Mr.. Stewart of Nevada, Populist.
brought the debate to a crisis by his
speech. y number of the older senators
had been moving anXiously in their
seats ever since the debate had opened
They evidently felt that the matter be-