The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-12

make the ratification of the treaty ex-
tremely problematic. The next house has
only about a dozen republican majority
and 1t is said that nearly the entire New
England delegation is opposed to the rati-
fcation of the treaty and will, therefore,
oppose the appropriation OF s2o.0o0.o0o,
which would Kill the ratification. Many
prominent democrats are somewhat vexed
at Bryan for advocating the ratification Of
the treaty. They say they could have de-
feated 1t, because 1t requires two-thtsds
majority to ratlfy, which would have been
a hard matter for the administration to OBJ
tain.
After the treaty is ratified ii will require
a majority then to pass the Vest or Mason
resolutions declaring II to be the sense OF
this government that IL would be uncon-
stitutional to annex the Philippines, and 1t
is going to be hard matter to get II. es-
pecially in the house, and Mr.. Bryan has
mixed up things In bad shape for tho
democrats.
The senate committee on foreign rela-
lions today authorized Senator Davis tn
report the peace treaty favorably without
amendment.
The committee was in session for only
an hour and the q eater part of this time
was consumed in waiting for quorum. the
senator's meantime discussing informally
the provisions of the treaty. There was
only bare quorum Of the committees
present, but Senators Cullen and Charlie,
who were among the abscBtecs, sent their
proxies. Senator Morgan and Senator
Cray ware the only democrats In attend
Of the ommittee-senators Daniel, MINIS
and Turpie had full notice OF the purpose
az the meeting and they indicated no op.
position to immediate action. There warc
no suggestions OF any amendment In cont
mittee. Senator Davis WAS instructed to
press the treaty upon the attention of the
senate with the view TO securing as early
action as possible.
The committee also authorized Senator
Davis to report favorably upon the propo-
sition to remove the injunction OF secrecy.
Washington, January 11.--At $40 n. IN
the senate. on motion of Mr.. Davis, the
chairman Of the foreign relations com
mittee and in charge OF the treaty OF peace.
went into executive session. When tho ex-
eentiye session convened Senator Davis re-
ported the peace treaty, stating that 1t
had not been amended in any respect IN
the committee. He moved ut the same
time that the treaty and the proceedings of
the peace commission be made public
This motion led TO debate. The discussion
was brief. however, and the motion to re-
move the injunction of secrecy prevailed
without division
Senator Berry moved that the debate on
the treaty should be conducted In open
senate, but the motion went over until TO-
morrow.
There were only casual remarks upon
the policy OF publicity, aud these wore gei.-
orally favorable to ths removal of the ee-
orecy injunction over the treaty and for
opening the doors for debate.
senator Davis gave notice that he would
ask for the earliest possible confederation,
giving the impression that he would move
TO take up the treaty tomorrow.
Washington. January 1.-THE president
has decided 1t would be incompatible with
the public interest to comply with the re-
quest contained in the Hoar resolution
to supply the senate with the instructions
given the American peace commission. II
any reasons are given for the declination
the leading one will be the fact that as
the treaty is subject TO action In Spain.
even after ratification by the senate. It's
consummation might be jeopardized by the
publication at this stage Of the confidential
instructions.
WASHINGTON. Margaret Livingston
Cbanler and Anna BouIigny. heroic wo-
men who served without pay as nurses In
Porto Rico during the war, have peeii
recommended for that rare honor, the
thanks Of congress