New-York tribune., 1898-12-22

TREATY is DISPOSED OF.
Atlanta. Dec 21.--Clark Howell member Of
the Democratic National Committee from Geor-
gia and Editor OF The Atlanta Constitution
after consulting with the leaders Of both polit-
ical parties al Washington. telegraphed as fol-
lows 10 his newspaper tonight.
With the adjournment Of Congress for the
holidays the final decision Of the peace treaty
is as clear as II will be after vote has been
taken In the Senate. Two weeks ago the mat
ter was in doubt to-day It is certain that the
treaty will be ratified as it will be that II has
been after the vote has been taken.
"Mr Bryan has been in Washington for sew
eral days and has conferred frequently and
freely with the Democratic leaders in both the
Senate and TIE House. He has advised ratif-
cation OF the treaty. and he IS outspoken IN the
opinion that. aside from the question OF Ma
tional obligation IL is matter Of party policy
for the democrats 70 throw no obstacles in the
way OF ratification. There are ledng Demo
Gratis OF both the Senate and the House who
less than week ago were In doubt as 70
whether or not Democrats should assist in
ratifyng the treaty; more than that, some Of
them were outspoken in the opinion that II was
perhaps better 70 reject 1t. To-day many Of
these Democratic leaders take open position
that the treaty should be ratified, and that II
will be no one who has studied the situation
from the inside can have any reasonable doubt.
1t must not be understood that the ratification
OF the treaty Will carry with II the assumption
that all those who vote afirmatively are In
favor Of national expansion across the Pacific
or the Senators who will vote N favor OF the
treaty there will be Republicans as We'll a.
Democrats who are opposed in principle as we'll
in theory to the transOceanc expansion Of
our national domain. They take, however and
properly. the view that the question OF expan-
sion. per Sc, is not involved In the consideration
OF the peace treaty. and that after the treaty
has been ratified and Spain has been eliminated
factor IN the Philippine problem. II will
be time enough 10 consider the policy 20 be
pursued in dealing with the Philippines, and
just here will come the real contest on the
question OF expansion"
Mr. Howell then says that after the treaty
has been finally disposed OF a resolution Will
be introduced making declaration Of the pro-
posed policy Of this Government IN dealing with
the Philippines and that this resolution Will
be framed the basis OF the Cuban resolution
adopted coincident with the declaration OF war
in which IT was declared that the policy Of this
Government would be 70 give the people OF
Cuba a free and Independent government os
their own
Mr. Howell also says 1T Is the determina-
a
rallying point FOR the expansion and enti-eX-
pansion elements. both Democratic and Re-
publican, that takes from the cons liberation O.,
the peace treaty such doubt as might have eX-
listed as TO the outcome and which now makes
its ratification a f1regOne conclusion
Mr- Howell further says: The vote on this
proposed resolution Will not be confined by any
means 10 party lines and the outcome Is In
doubt. large majority OF the Democrats Will
vote in favor Of IL and a large majority Of the
Republicans will vote against H. but the size
OF either minority is sufficiently involved IN
doubt 70 render exceedingly questionable
the final action that will be taken the reso-
luton"
He also says: The Republicans a body
will favor the ratification OF the peace treaty
and will oppose any further action. They viii
hold that II will be time enough 10 cross the
Philippine bridge when they get % Il, and In
the mean time the islands should be held under
strict military government. and that. Il In Gods
own time II is demonstrated that the FlDnos
are able 10 take care OF themselves and desire
TO maintain government Of their own IL Will
be time enough for the United States TO take
up the question and act accordingly
Mr. HowelIs summary concludes as follows
LAS the result OF the final encounter over the
resolution II may be that the country will wit
ness the spectacle OF badly severed party lines.
and that out of IL may be furnished the battle
cries around which which will be formed the
lines OF the next Presidential fight"