The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-26
He Believes Nothing VIII BE Lost and
Everything Gained by speedy Dis
position of the Question.
FIGHT FOR TWO GOOD PLACES
GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND URGED
FOR LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS-.
Candidates for Superintendent Of
from Residents of Indiana.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 25-The Senate held
two executive sessions to-day and at each
the peace treaty was the subject under dis
cussion. At the first agreement was
reached to vote on the treaty next Nom
day week, and at the second Senator Davis
presented the American commissioners
reasons for the acceptance of the treaty in
the form in which it was finally concluded.
The agreement for a vote was reached at an
executive session held soon after converting
at noon, this agreement being in the follow
ing language: THAT the Senate agrees to
vote ON the treaty with Spain and all
amendments on Monday, the 9Th of Feb
ruary at o. clock p m. and that until that
time the Senate shall go into executive ses-
sion on each day at p. M" This was q
unanimous agreement, the terms Of which
were formulated by Senator Davis in reply
to yesterdays proposition by the opposition
and as a result of to-day's meeting of the
Senate committee on foreign relations The
agreement in the committee to accept the
proposition was unanimous, and 1t is UNDER
stood that Senator Davis informed his fell
loW-commtteemen that it was the wish of
the President that the proposition for a
vote should be accepted and the result made
known as soon as possible. Those who are
familiar with the views of the President say
that he has urged early vote on the
ground that nothing is to be lost and every
thing is to be gained by taking the vote.
The final action, he is confident, will be
favorable when reached.
In accordance with the terms of the agrees
ment the Senate resumed.its work in execu-
tive session at clock, and the entire time
of this session was consumed by Senator
Davis in making a presentation of the his
tory of the Paris conference. This pre-
sentation consisted largely in the quotation
of the various propositions made on each
side of the controversy at Paris, and while
the speech was thus rendered somewhat
formal it received the closest and most care
full attention. A map of the Philippines on
large scale adorned the rear wall of the
Senate chamber, and while it was often
consulted by senators Mr.. Davis made but
one reference to it as such.
Speaking outside of the published record,
Senator Davis took occasion to eulogize the
Spanish commissioners in high terms as
men of exceptional shrewdness and ability,
saying the Americans had found them
armed at all points, jealous of Spain's
honor and interests and prepared at all
times to defend her cause as long as there
leans of the commission had been in con-
slant communication with the President
while negotiating the convention; that he
was made acquainted with all the commits
sion's movements, and while he admitted
that there had been apparently some divi-
sion of opinion among publicists in the
United States as to the policy of including
the Philippines in the agreement, there had
been practically no other honorable way
out of the difficulty
AS for himself, Mr.. Davis was willing
from the start to extend our borders so as to
include these islands, because he believed
their acquisition a most important stride ia
the advancement of the American nation,
commercially and otherwise. He, with 9TH
ers, was looking forward to the prospective
partition of the vast Chinese empire among
the European nations and he foresaw that
if the United States did not secure footing
in the Orient, such as they now have an
opportunity TO secure through the terms OF
the treaty they would be most effectually
and forever shut out from this vast market.
On this account there was every reason In
the world why the treaty should be rati-
fed and he contended that few men who
would study the worldwide questions pre-
scented as the commissioners had been COM
pediency Of the move. lie also touched up
on the legal questions involved contending
that there were many precedents for the
acquisition, that we as a nation, had the
right TO acquire territory and shat there
were no constitutional barriers.
If we should fail TO make good our own
opportunity thus providentiaIly presented,
we need, Mr.. Davis said, expect no favors
from Europe in regaining foothold in the
Eastern markets. We need count upon no
display of friendship from Europe In this or
any other matter. The European powers
We're profoundly jealous of the United
States. and the senator declared that it was
fact that we had not one friend on tho
continent in our recent struggle with Spain
or fin our efforts to secure peace favorable 10
this country. He minated that but for
Great Britain's attitude there would have
been Intervention by the continental powers.
In this connection he referred 10 the news
paper reports from London accrediting him
with an expression favorable TO an alliance
of the United States with Great Britain and
Japan. He had. he said, never advocated
such an alliance for the present, but ha
would not say that the time might not come
when such an alliance would be both wise
and necessary for the preservation of our
rights and prestige. He dwelt at some
length upon the favor shown the Spanish
side Of the question while the conference
was In progress. and said there was especial
effort to have the Spanish bonds secured on
the colonies guaranteed by the Americans.
He believed If the Americans held the PHIL
ippines international trouble would be
avoided but If the contrary course should
be- pursued he was most apprehensive &C
the results.
In reply to a question from Senator HOar.