Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-21
Anti -Expansionists Now ClaimThirty-
Seven Votes Against 1t.
PROBABLY THEY ARE MISTAKEN
A Vote, if Taken, Would Result in
q Ratification.
EXTRA SESSION TALK

The anti-eXpansionists believe that they
have outfianked their antagonists in the
fight over the peace treaty. They have got
certain pledges that they think they can
rely on, and have now suddenly switched
about and declare themselves ready for
a vote. They apparently believe that they
can defeat the treaty on a direct vote if
it is not amended This is probably a mis-
take of theirs. 1t looks if some senators
might BE- pledged on both sides of the ques-
tion or else occupy such a peculiar atti-
tude as to give the impression to one side
that they will vote against the treaty and
to the other that they will vote for it.
The private claim of the anti-expansion-
lists is that they have 81 votes assured
against the treaty if it is not modified: and
they are saying somewhat tauntingly that
Chairman Davis is afraid to put the treaty
to the test of "a vote at this session. Some
even go SO far in their display Of confidence
as TO manifest Impotence at MIR Catferys
taking up 50 much OF the time of the ses-
sion in connection with the Nicaragua ca
nal debate.
OF course, if it were true that thirty
seven senators would vote against the
treaty Chairman Davis would not let it
come to a vote at this session. and its rati-
fication would DE delayed until the meeting
of an extra session.
Vote Would Ratify the Treaty.
1t may be assumed with confidence. how
ever, that if vote is had it will be dis
covered that the anti-expansionists have
placed too much faith in promises made or
implied. and that the final test a num-
Der of senators who are talking in a way
unfriendly TO the treaty will vote for it. If
the opposition Wa. adhere to their very sud
denly formed resolution to permit a vote
the chances are that the treaty will be rat
ifed at this session.
1t is probable, however, that they will
discover before a vote is permitted that
they have oVereStimated their strength in
opposition to the treaty, and will there find
occasion for further delay. The defeat OF
the treaty by vote is not to be anticipated
notwithstanding the claim of thirty-seven
votes pledged against it. The real danger
is that there may not be a vote at all this
session, and that is a danger that may
pass away The opinion is expressed by
some of the most experienced men in the
Senate that after certain amount of
biuffing an understanding will be reached
that at an early day vote shall be had
on resolution disavoWing any purpose on
the part of this government to forcibly hold
permanent possession of the Philippines,
and, with such an understanding, a vote
will be had on the treaty and it will be
ratified.
An Extra Session Possible.
But if the situation becomes any more
complicated, however, the supporters of
the administration may decide that an ex-
ira session of the Fifty-sixth Congress is
inevitable anyhow, and that the whole
matter may as well be allowed to go over.
1t is generally believed now that the pros
poets of completing legislation for the
Nicaragua canal are very slim, and that it
Will be impossible to secure satisfactory
legisa ton with respect to the army at this
session.
While an extra session of Congress is
always looked upon with disfavor by the
executive. there is at this time a strong
sentiment among certain element of the
PRESIDENT supporters in favor of having
the hfty-slXth Congress meet early, and this,
together with the peculiarly unsatisfactory
condition of affairs with respect to legisla-
ton that Is deemed important to be had at
an early day, may lead the administra-
ton and the republican managers to the
conclusion that it Is not worth while to
make any sacrifices to prevent an extra
session. When this conclusion is reached
the charge will be drawn from the weapons
OF the opposition and that little band of
statesmen will be helpless.