New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-28
PEACE TREATY'S PROSPECTS
DEBATE IN THE SENATE NOT LIKELY
TO BE LONG.
PROMPT ACTION BY THE FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
WITHOUT AMENDMENT HOPED

Washington. Dec. 27-The presence Of Senator
Davis, one Of the members OF the Peace Com
mission. at the Capitol to-day was the cause OF
more or less speculation among Senators con-
corning the peace treaty II is the intention Of
Senator Davis TO ask the Committee on For.
eisn Relations TO take up the treaty as soon as
~ is received from the President. While II Is
expected that the document will undergo
careful scrutiny in committee. Il Is the general
opinion that this work will be done with
much expedition as possible. There will be an
effort on the part of the friends Of the treaty TO
have II reported without any amendment what
ever and they assert that the committee "a a
whole is favorable 10 ratification without al
tcraons. The present plan Of the Senators who
oppose straight ratification is TO urge the in
sertion Of amendment providing In specific
terms that the United States shall not acquire
sovereignty the Philippine Islands under
any circumstances
The friends OF the treaty urge that It Is more
important to have II ratified Internationally
than would be the case with an ordinary agree
nent between nations. and for this reason they
are confident that II will not be modified and
that IN the end 1t will the votes of
number Of Senators who personally would prefer
amendment. The opponents OF the treaty say
they do not anticipate a long debate in the
Senate
Secretary Hay to-day received visits from
some OF the members and officers Of the Peace
Commission. John B. Moore, whom as
rotary devolved some OF the most delicate and
important work required Of the Commission. is
now engaged in settling up with the Depart
ment the affairs Of the Commission. He will
turn to New-York and resume his duties pro-
~ t,ta Low -pt,,
sity.
Notwithstanding the reports that have been
published as 10 the treaty, Secretary Hay re-
mains steadfast IN his purpose not to make the
document public until the Senate shal have
authorized II. II Is true that no law governs
him in this matter. the executive branch be-
Ing quite as free as the legislative TO make
public or TO maintain confidential treaties
and protocols. But this is privilege little
avaied Of in late years. and at present there
are motives Of policy which operate 20 prevent
a departure from the usual practice. Therefore
the treaty remains locked up In the Presidents
own safe.
SENATOR FAULKNER AND THE TREATY
ALTHOUGH AN ANT1-EXPANsIoNIsr. He WILL
VOTE FOR RATIFICATION
Washington. Dec. 81 (SpeciaD.-When asked
To-Day II any Dut routine business would De
transacted by Congress in the remainder Of the
short session. Senator Faulkner. Of West Nir-
GINA pronounced anti-expansionist. replied
Nothing out of the usual will be done. except
probably 10 ratify the treaty of peace with
Spain ! am opposed TO expansion" Mr.. Faux
ner continued. but do not how l or any
other man holding my views can sensbly with
hold his vote in favor Of ratification when every
thing growing out Of the treaty is in the hands
of Congress. 10 be disposed Of according TO its
Judgment"
In response to question TO the future dis
position of the Philippines. Senator Faulkner
smiled. THAT is rather difficult to answer"
he said. Il that there is a very
strong and increasing opinion in the country
that we should manage the temporary affairs
OF the islands that eventually the Fipnos will
be equipped for and intrusted with self-govern-
ment II is difficult TO understand how such a
heterogeneous population could be made part
OF the people Of the United States even II there
no other considerations. Military control
Of the Philippines will be necessary for long
time. without doubt. and the intelligent portion
Of the population OF the Islands will have to be
largely depended upon in the future solution of
the Philippine problem"