The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-13
TREATY
Shall It Be Discussed
In Open Session?
Mr.. H0AR FAVORS IT.
First Contest Over Docu-
ment In the Senate.

Washington, Jan. 12.-The supporters
and opponents of the peace treaty in
the Senate had their first contest over
tina. document today in executive ses-
sion.
While the debate technically was up
on Senator Berry's motion providing
for consideration Of the resolution of
ratification in open session, the entire
question at issue was gone over TO a
considerable extent.
The discussion continued from a few
minutes past 1 o'clock until about .
o'clock, when the Senate adjourned for
the day without reaching a vote upon
the Berry motion. 1t was a runnig de-
bate, in which Senators Berry, White.
Hale, Hoar, Vest and others in oppo-
sition to the treaty, met Senators Da-
Wis, Frye, Teller, Gray and others in
advocacy of il. Probably 20 senators
spoke, but many of them did little more
than ask questions. Still, speeches of
some length were made by Messrs. Tel
Ter and Frye on the one hand and by
Messrs Hale and Hoar on the other.
There were many animated cOlloquys
between senators, and for a time an
exceptional degree of feeling was
shown.
The proceedings opened with a speech
by Senator Berry supporting his mo-
ton for open sessions, and he was re-
Piled to briefly by Senators Davis and
Frye Senator Vest later supporting,
ana Senator Teller opposing the mo-
non. The discussion over this point
hinged entirely upon the contention on
The one hand that the public was en-
titled to know what was taking place
in the disposition of so important a
question as the ratification OF the peace
treaty, and on the other that the de-
bate was sure to develop facts and call
forth utterances which should not be
given to other nations.
1t was argued by those favoring the
motion that no harm would be done by
taking the public into the Senates con-
iidence, while those opposed stated that
vast international questions We're in
Volyed which could be considered in
far more judicial and calm manner
behind closed doors than with the
whole world invited to listen. Suppose
it was important that the matter be
kept private" said Senator Vest, mo
one supposed that this result could be
secured. The Senate's executive secrets
sO-calied We're invariably known ~ the
WCrld." Senator White thought l. safe
to say that the important points at
least swould all go to the public.
The senators who had acted as mem
bers of the Paris commission, Messrs.
Davis, Frye and Gray, all antagonized
the motion for open doors. They stated
that from their experience in the ne
gotiation of the treaty, many questions
involving grave International contro-
f,.sg,ir. l. H.
urged the preservation of the custom
Of closed doors. Senator Teller sus-
tanned them in this position, stating
that he considered the present compli-
cation too grave, and at present, of all
times, the most inopportune for a
change of the custom.
Senator HoaT, for the first time in
his life, advocated open sessions, de-
claring that no fact could be developed
in Connection with the treaty too I'm
portant for the American people TO
know. 1t was the peoples affair, said
Senator White, and the people should
be invited at least to listen TO the dis
cussOn of the question. He said that
if the commissioners who were present
in the Senate had any great secrets,
they should give them to the Senate
forthwith
These circumstances led to renewal
of the discussion Of the wisdom and
good policy OF appointing senators as
members of the peace commission.
Naturally, too, tine Senate drifted into
a discussion of the treaty itself and
the intention of this government to-
wards the Filipinos, much being said
on the lines of Senator Forakers open
session speech of yesterday. Sena-
tors Gray. Frye and Teller talked upon
these matters, the speeches being on
the same general lines as those made
in support of expansion in open session.
Senator Gray announced himself as a
supporter of the treaty. admitting,
however. that at the beginning, he had
some misgivings as to the policy in
volved. Still there could be no two
opinions on the general question of
surrendering the islands back to Spain,
and with thi2 question disposed of in
the negative, il only remained for the
United states to take at least tempo
rary control Of the islands.
He had no doubt that the United
States would deal fairly with the ma
tives OF the islands. Senator Teller's
speech was a more pronounced declara-
ton for American sovereignty in the
islands and was a Jealous plea for the
recognition of our right as a nation to
make conquest and to hold the country
taken. He, too, would award the ma
tives fair treatment, but he would leave
no uDuDL III lUelE LllHuS tIldl IUty were
subjects Of the United States.
An interesting point bearing upon the
treaty was brought out in connection
with the confirmation of Gen. Wherry.
Senator Hawley asked for action upon
the nomination, saying that it was urg-
ent because it was designed that Gen.
Wherry should go to the Philippines,
and that he should proceed there as
soon as practicable. The opposition
senators criticised the policy of sending
troops to those islands at present, Sem
ator Hale leading in this onslaught.
! They had supposed, they said, that thin
practice would cease with the signing
OF the protocol. Some of the senators
intmated that this policy. in connection
with speeches yesterday, was calcu-
lated, if not intended, to excite the
FilipinOs to acts Of hostility.
Senators Hale and Hoar announced
openly that they were determined to
vote against the treaty, and while the
discussion was in progress q number of
democratic senators held o conference
for the purpose Of deciding upon a
course of antagonism calculated to Sc
cure its defeat While confessng that
they are not yet able 70 count enough
senators TO insure this result, they pro-
fess TO be very hopeful as a result of
the work so far done
! BASKET BALL At WEBSTER.