The times., 1899-01-21
hREFIGH4ING THE TREATY
Senators Making the Canal
Bill an Excuse for Delay.
DEMAND A COMPROMISE
Opponents of the Nicaragua Meas
ure Also Fiiibusterine Against
Ratification - Provinciniists' De-
mHrd far Declaration OF the Ad-
ministrntion's PoIicy-Against the
Retention of the Philippines.

Developments in the Senate during the
last two days have led those interested n
political matters to believe very strongly
that the various statesmen who have dur
ing that time been so loud and persist mt
in their opposition to the NicaYagua Ca
nal bill, even to the extent OF winding up
yesterdays proceedings in the chamber
with charges of fraud ana corruption, are
either killing two birds with one stone, or
are making the canal bill a cloak Behind
which they are doing all in their power to
delay the consideration of the Treaty of
Pe2ce. Certain it is that at the ose OF
the debate on the canal bill yesterday
matters had progressed so little, thanks
to the Gljbustering tactics of Senate 5
Tiilman and Caffery, that the c0nside: a
tion OF the Treaty seemed no nearer than
on the preceding day.
Those who are anxious for the speedy
ratification of the treaty. notably Senator
Davis are chafing at this de.ay, and it may
be that unless there is some prospect OF
reaching vote on the canal bill this
afternoon, the more pressing piece of ieg-
islatfon will be called up.
The friends of the Treaty know that they
have a hard fight on their hands, and they
are anxious to begin that fight as soon as
possible. They feel that they can gain
nothing by delay while the strength Of
the opposition might be increased.
In the meantime many sensational ru-
mors are afloat in the northern wing of
the Capitol Various claims are made by
those who profess to be aware OF the plans
of the Senators who will oppose ratifica
tion, and estimates Of the strength Of the
opposition would indicate that those in fa-
yor OF it will have a hard fight to get it
| through during the present session.
In spite OF the dire predictions based on
these statements however the friends of
the Treaty firmly believe that it will be
ratified before the 4th of March. SEN
ator Davis will not accept any compro-
mise looking TO a declaration of the policy
of the Administration with reference to
the ultimate disposition of the Philippines.
which the opposing proylncialists have
been striving to bring about and this, it
is said, means . fight to the bitter end.
The futilty of opposing the Treaty.
however, is pointed out by those who
favor its ratification as the principal
ground for their belief that it will be
ratified. Should its opponents succeed in
preventing its ratification by the present
! session. the President will call an extra
session Of the Senate Immediately after
March I. with a much larger Republican
majority and it is confidently believed
that its ratification then would only be
a matter of a very short time.
Such delay would OF course, be vexa-
tious. and everything possible Will be done
to prevent it; that IS. everything short
OF giving in 10 the Democratic demand
that the policy of the President be de-
clared This phase of the situation, it is
claimed is the only bar to the ratifca-
ton OF the Treaty as soon as vote is
| taken.
! But rather than accept the compromise
; in the shape of a resolution declaring
/ against the retention of the Philippines
the advocates of the Treaty will submit
to the embarrassment of delay which
they believe, is all the anti-expanslonists
are strong enough TO bring about