New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-13
PEACE TREATY DISCUSSED.
FIRST CONTEST BETWEEN IT'S FRIENDS
AND OPPONENTS.


DEBATE BEGUN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF
THE sENATE-QUEsTIoN OF CLOSED OR
OPEN DOORS NOT YET DECIDED.
GnY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNE.I
Washington jan 12-The consideration OF
the Treaty Of Peace with Spain was seriously
begun to-day in the Senate nearly the whole
Of the session being given, at Senator Daviss
request. to the discussion of certain recommen-
dations made by the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations. One OF these that the injunction OF
secrecy be removed from the text of the treaty
and the accompanying protocols and memo
randa. approved by the Senate without OBJ
lection. and much of the afternoon spent
in debating proposal supported chiefly by the
opposition to ratification, TO consider the con-
vention In open session Mr. Berry. Of Arkan-
sas, had entered this motion yesterday and he
and Mr. Vest strongly urged its adoption. a
course which opposed by Mr.. Hale, who is
counted opponent of ratification, and by
other Senators who favor prompt and
qualified acceptance Of the terms secured by the
Commissioners at Paris.
The question at issue is a perennial one and
has been in dispute in the Senate for the last
twenty years but the conservative sentiment
OF the body has almost always successfully re-
sisted the innovation OF an open discussion of
such business the Senate is called on to trans
act by virtue of its limited grant Of executive
power. Though little substantial progress was
made this afternoon. Mr.. Davis counts secur-
Ing fair share Of the Senate's time next week
for the consideration OF the treaty, and he Is
hopeful that the debate which the opponents Of
ratification preparing to engage in will ex-
haust itself before the end OF the month. No
modification Of the text Of the treaty is possible.
for TO insert an amendment will require ma
! jority vote. The sole struggle of the opposition.
therefore. liz TO muster the third OF the body
necessary to defeat ratfcation-a struggle
which may may not be aided by programme
Of delay.
RANGE OF THE DEBATE.
While the debate technically was on Senator
Berrys motion, the entire question at issue was
gone over to considerable extent The discus
sion continued from few minutes after |
O'Clock until about D. when the Senate adjourned
for the day without reaching a vote on the
Berry motion.
There were no set speeches In the usual ac-
ceptance OF that phrase. 1t was running de-
bate in which Senators Berry White Hale.
Hoar. Vest and others in opposition to the
treaty met Senator'S Davis. Freye Teller.
Gray and Others in advocacy oe IT. Probably
twenty Senator'S spoke but many Of them did
little more than ask questions. Speeches of
some length. however. were made by Senator'S
Teller and Frye the one hand and by Sena-
tors Hale and Hoar the other There were
many animated colloquies and for time an ex-
ceptional degree Of feeling shown
| The proceedings opened with a speech by
| Senator Berry in support Of his motion for open
sessions. and he was answered briefly by Sena-
6
later in support of Mr.. Berry. and Senator Teller
| Joining with the forces in opposition to the mo-
ton. The discussion this point hinged en-
tirely the contention on the one hand that
the public entitled to know what was TAX
ing place in the disposition of so important a
question as the ratif ,ation of the peace treaty.
and on the other that the debate was sure to de-
velop facts and call forth utterances which
should not be given to other nations.
1t argued by those favorng the motion
| that harm would come by taking the public
into the Senate's confidence. while those opposed
said that vast international questions were in
volved which could be considered in far more
! judicial and calm manner behind closed doors
| than with the whole world invited 10 listen Sup
pose it important that the matter be kept
! private said Senator Vest. one believed for
moment that this result could be secured. The
| Senate's so-called executive secrets in
variaby known to the world. and for this
reason, If for no other, he could see no benefit
! in excluding the public Senator White thought
| it safe to say that the important points at least
would all go to the public.
PEACE COMMISSIONERS SPEAK.
The Senators who acted as members Of the
Peace Commission Messrs. Davis. Frye and
Gray, were all present, and antagonized the mo-
tion for open doors. They said that they knew.
from their experience in negotiating the treaty,
that many questions involving grave interna-
tiona controversies were liable to BE- raised. and
all urged the preservation os the Senatorial GUS
tom of closed doors. Senator Teller sustained
them in this position urging the Importance OF
the question and saying that while as rule he
favored open sessions of the Senate on all oc-
casions he considered the present complication
too grave, and the present of all times. the
most inopportune for change Of the Senatorial
custom Of open doors.
Senator Hoar the other hand. for the first
time in his life, advocated open sessions declar-
ing that no fact could be developed in connection
with the treaty too important for the American
people to know
II Is the peoples affair. said Senator White
and the people should be invited at least 10
listen 10 the discussion Of the question If they
could not have any more exalted privilege In
connection with 1t. He then proceeded to say
that ~ the Commissioners who were present In
the Senate had any great secrets they should
give them the Senate forthwith. In order that
all the members Of that body should have equal
light with those highly favored gentlemen"
These circumstances led to renewal Of the
discussion Of the wisdom and good policy OF APP
pointing Senator'S members Of the Peace Conn
mission and there was general passage-at-
arms over this question.
POLICY TOWARD THE FILIPINOs.
Naturally too. the Senate drifted into dis
cussion Of the treaty itself and the Intentions OF
this Government toward the Filipinos. much be-
ing said on the lines Of Senator Forakers Open
session speech Of yesterday. Senator'S Gray.
AaIk ad an thasn m and