The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-13
THEIR FIRST CONTEST
Peace Treaty Discussed Behind
Closed Doors.
SENATOR BERRYS MOTION
Warm Debate On the Propcsiti to
Consider the Treaty in Open Ses-
SION Teller Made Plea for
American Sovereignty.

| and opponents of the peace treaty in
the senate had their first contest over
that document to-day in executive ses-
| sion. While the debate technically was
upon Senator Berry's motion providing
| for the consideration of the resolution
| of ratification in open session, the en-
| tire question at issue was gone over to
| a considerable degree. The discussion
| continued from a few minutes past l
| until o'clock, when the senate ad-
| Journed for the day without reaching a
vote upon the Berry motion. 1t was a
| running debate, in which Senators Ber-
ry, White, Hale, Hoar, Vest and others
| in opposition to the treaty met Senators
Davis, Frye, Teller, Gray and others
in advocacy of it. Probably 20 senators
spoke. There were many animated COL
loquys, and for a time an exceptional
degree of feeling was shown. 1t was
argued by those favoring the motion
that no harm could come by taking the
public into the senate's confidence
while those opposed stated that inter-
national questions We're involved which
could be considered in a far more judi
cious and calm manner behind closed
doors than with the whole world invit-
ed to listen. Suppose it was important
that the matter be kept private, said
senator Vest; no one supposed for
moment that this result could be Sc
cured. The senates executive secrets,
so-called, are invariably known to the
world. Senator White thought it safe
to count that the important points at
least would all go to the public.
The senators had acted as members
OF the Paris commission Messrs. Da-
Wis, Frye and Gray, We're all present
and antagonized the motion for open
doors. They stated that from their ex-
perience in the negotiations of the treaty
many questions involving grave con-
troversies We're liable to be raised and
all urged the preservation of the sena-
torial custom of closed doors. Sena-
tor Teller sustained them in this ac-
ton. Senator Hoar, 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 Ameri-
can public to know. 1t is the peoples
affair, said Senator White, and the peo-
pie should be invited at least to listen
to the discussion of the question if
they could not be given any more ex-
allied privilege in connection with it.
He then proceeded to say if the COM
missioners who were present in the
senate had any great secrets they
should give them to the senate forth
with in order that all the members of
that body should have equal rights
with these highly favored gentle
men,"
These circumstances led to the dis
cussion of the wisdom and good policy
or appointing senators as members of
the peace commission, and there was a
general passage at arms over this ques-
ton.
Naturally, too, the senate drifted into
discussion of the treaty itself and
the intention of this government to-
ward the Filipinos. Senators Gray,
Frye and Teller talked upon these mat
tiers.
Senator Gray announced himself as
supporter of the treaty, adding, how
ever, that at the beginning he had some
misgivings as to the policy involved
Still there could be no two opinions on
the general question of surrendering the
islands back to Spain, and with this
question disposed of in the negative it
only remained for the United States to
take at least a temporary control of the
islands. For the future he had no doubt
that the United States would deal fairly
and in accordance with the dictates of
honesty with the natives of the islands
Senator Teller's speech was a more
pronounced declaration for American
sovereignty in the islands and was a
Jealous plea for the recognition of our
right as nation to make conquest and
to hold the country taken. He, too,
would award the natives fair treatment,
but he would leave no doubt in their
minds or the minds of any one else that
they were subjects of the United States
and that they were such by right of con-
quest-by divine right of nationality,
which is an inherent and integral part
OF our existence as people.
An interesting point bearing upon the
treaty, but not connected directly with
1t, was brought out in connection with
the confirmation of General Wherry.
Senator HaWley asked for action upon
the nomination, saying that it was ur-
gent because it was designed that Cen
eral Wherry should go to the Philip
pines and that he should proceed there
as soon as practicable. This remark
was seized upon by the opposition SEN
ators as text for criticism of the pol-
icy of sending troops to these islands
at present, Senator Hale leading in this
onslaught. They had supposed, they
said. that the practice would cease with
the signing of the protocol. Some of
the senators went SO far as to intimate
that the policy, in connection with
speeches made in the senate, were cal
culated, If not intended, to incite the
F1iipinos to acts of hostility.