The times., 1897-03-25
THE ARBITRATION TREATY
The Senate Refuses to Fix a
Time For a Final Vote.
THE OPPOSITION CONFIDENT
After Another Weeks Debate All
Amendments Are TO BE Put to
vote-Mr. Morgan Makes an
Hours Speech in Advocacy of
the Chiffon Amendment.

An agreement was reached in the ex-
ecutive session Yesterday afternoon on an
hour for voting on the amendments to the
general treaty OF arbitration between the
United states and Great Britain, but con-
sent to an agreement for the final vote
was refused. At O'Clock next Wednes-
day the vote will be taken on the amend
ments then pending, and the treaty, IN
its then shape, is to be printed for the
use of the senate the next day. AT
O'Clock on Thursday, following, the vote
is to be taken upon all amendments that
may be Offered in the meantime, and this
will be the last of the votes ON proposed
amendments. From that time the debate
will proceed on the treaty proper.
Senator Davis made a persistent effort
to secure an agreement for an hour for
the final vote, but was confronted with
objections that made such an agreement
Impossible. 1t is thought. however, that
with all amendments out OF the way the
final vote cannot long be postponed. What
the ultimate outcome will be can hardly
be foreshadowed. The opponents of the
treaty profess to have the requisite thirty
OF the treaty, and say they have several
of the new Senators on their list. The
questions asked by these new Senators
indicate q lively interest in the conren-
ton and a determination to understand
the subject thoroughly before casting
their votes. II would not come as a
surprise TO the committee to have the
treaty rejected.
Senator Morgan took the floor iniine-
diately after the doors were closed, and
spoke for an hour or more in advocacy OF
the Chiffon amendment, reiterating. how
ever his opposition to the treaty as
whole The Chiffon amendment, as has
been stated in The Times, makes very
important change In the tenor or the iirst
article of the treaty. Under that article
both the contracting parties agree To SUD
INIT to arbitration under this general treaty
"all questions in difference bctw cen them
which they may fail TO adjust by diplo-
matte negotiation Mr. Chilton's amend
ment modifies this reading so as TO make
1t read that the United States agrees to
submit all questions which the Senate
(which IS part of our treaty making po werl
shall decide to be subjects fit for arbltra-
ton.
The members of the committee and
Senators opposed to any amendments other
than those made by the committee, contend
that this is the only constr uction tha can
be placed upon the text of the treaty, and
for that reason they held that the amend
ment is unnecessary. The advocates of the
Chiffon amendment contend, On the other
hand, that If II is is tie construction placed
upon the text 10y the Senate and the COM
mittee, no harm can come from the
adoption Of an amendment plain
what now seems to be somewhat doubt
ful. 1t was also stated today that the com
ments of the English press, with respect
to the committee amendments which We're
agreed to the other day. made IL lnipera-
lively the duty Of the Senate TO so frame
the treaty that there can he no possible
doubt about the intention of the Senate.