The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-13
PEACE TREATY FIGHT
SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS
OVER THE DOCUMENT
OPEN SESSIONS DISCUSSED
Senator Hoar Contends That the
uege OF Hearing the Talk on
the Treaty - Senator Members
of the Peace Commission Hint Mt
International Secrets.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-The sup
porters and opponents of the peace
treaty in the senate had their first
contest over that document today in
executive session. While the debate
technically was upon Senator Berry's
motion providing for the consideration
of the resolution of ratification in open
session. the entire question at issue
was gone over to a considerable eX-
tent The discussion continued from a
few minutes past l o'clock until about
., when the senate adjourned for the
day, without reaching a vote upon the
Berry motion. There were no set
speeches in the usual acceptance of
that phrase. 1t was a running debate,
in which Senators Berry, Hoar Vest
and others in opposition to the treaty
met Senators Davis, Frye, Teller, Gray
and others in advocacy of it. Probably
twenty senators spoke, but many of
them did little more than ask ques-
tions. Still speeches of some length
We're made by MesSrs. Teller and Frye
on the one hand, and by Messrs. Hale
and Hoar on the other. There was ami
mated speaking by senators and for a
time a degree of feeling was shown.
The proceedings opened with a speech
by Senator Berry, in support of his
motion for open sessions. and he was
replied to briefly by Senators Davis
ana Frye, Senator Vest coming in late
in support of Mr.. Berry, and Senator
Teller joining with the forces in oppo-
sition to the motion. The discussion
I,Se IL
the contention on the one hand that
the public was entitled to know what
was taking place in the disposition Of
so important a question as the ratlfica-
ton of the peace treaty, and on the
other that the debate was sure to de-
Velop facts and call forth utterances
which should not be given to other ma
tions. 1t was argued by those favor
ing the motion that no harm could
come by taking the public into the sem
ate's confidence, while those opposed
stated that international questions
Were involved which could be consid-
cred in far more judicial and calm
manner behind closed doors than with
the whole world invited TO listen. Sup
l'ose it was important that the matter
lie kept private, said Senator Vest, no
one supposed for moment that this
result could be secured. The senate's
executive sessions, so-called, are In
variably known to the world, and for
this reason, if for no other, he could
see no benefit in excluding the public
Senator Vest thought it safe to say
that the important points at least
would go to the public
OPEN DISCUSSION OPPOSED.
The senators who acted as members
of the Paris commission, Messrs. Da-
Wis, Gray and Frye, were all present,
and antagonized the motion for open
doors. They stated that, from their
experience in the negotiation of the
treaty. many questions involving grave
international controversies were lia-
BILE to be raised, and ALL speaking from
this standpoint, urged the preserva-
ton of the senatorial custom of closed
doors. Senator Teller sustained them
in this action, and stating that while,
as a rule, he favored open sessions of
the senate on all occasions he con-
sidered the present complication too
grave, and the present of all times,
the senatorial custom of open DOORS
Senator Hoer on the other hand,
for the first time in his life advocated
open sessions, declaring that no fact
could be developed in connection with
the treaty too important for the Amer
lean public to know 1t is the peoples
affair, said Senator Hoar, and the peo-
PIE should be invited at least to lis
ten to the discussion of the question
if they could not be given any more
exalted privilege in connection with it
lie then proceeded to say If the commits
sioners who were present in the senate
had any great secrets they should
give them to the senate forthwith, in
order that all the members of that
body should have equal light with
these highly favored gentlemen"
These circumstances led to a renew
al of the discussion of the wisdom and