Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-26

February 9th for the discussion of the
treaty. Authority was also given for
making the announcement Of the agree
ment public.
The opposing Senators made no OBJ
lection to the date. neither suggesting
an earlier nor n later one.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Washington. d. c., January 25.-The
Senate held two executive sessions to-
day and at each the peace treaty was
the subject under discussion. At the
first an agreement was reached to vote
on the treaty NEXT Monday week, and
at the second Senator Davis presented
the American Commissioners reason
for the acceptance of the treaty in the
form in which 1t was finally concluded.
The agreement for a vote was reached
at an executive session held soon after
converting at noon.
The agreement in the committee, to
accept the proposition, was unanimous
and it is understood that Senator Davis
Informed his fellow committeeman that
1t was the wish OF the president that
the proposition for a vote should be
accepted and the result made known as
soon as possible. The final action. he is
confident, will be favorable when reach
ed
CHAIRMAN DAVIS STATEMENT.
In accordance with the terms of the
agreement the Senate resumed its work
in executive session at o'clock,
and the entire time of this session was
consumed by Senator Davis in MAX
ing a presentation of the history of the
Paris conference. This presentation
consisted largely in the quotation of
the various propositions made on each
side Ct IL : cent? .eisy at Iar!s, and
White T. 81 ooch was thus rendered
IN a. ha; formal it received the closest
and most careful attention.
Speaking outside of the published re-
cord 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 SPANS honor and
interest, and prepared at all times to
defend her course as long as there was
anything to defend. He said the Amer
leans of the commission had been in
constant communication with the Pres
ident while negotiating the conventions;
that he was made acquainted with all
the commissions movements, and
while he admitted there had been APP
parently some division of opinion in
the United States as to the policy of in
Guiding the Philippines in the agree
ment, there had been practically no
other honorable way out of the diff
Guilty.
AS to himself Mr.. Davis was willing
from the start to extend our borders
so as to include these islands because
he believed their acquisition Il most i'm
portant stride in the advancement of
the American nation, commercially and
otherwise. He with others was look
ing forward to the prospective parti-
ton of the vast Chinese empire among
the European nations. and he foresaw
that if the United States did not Sc
cure a footing in the Orient such as
they now have an opportunity to Sc
cure through the terms of the treaty
they would be most effectually and for
ever shut out from this vast market
On this account there was every reas-
on in the world why the treaty should
be ratified. and he commended that few
men who would study the worldwide
questions presented as the commission
ers had been compelled to study them
could doubt the expediency Of the
move. He also touched upon the legal
questions involved. contending that
there were many presidents for the
acquisition that we as n nation had
the right to acquire territory, and that
there were no constitutional bar
rlers.
OUR OPPORTUNITY
If we should fail to make good our
own opportunity thus providentially
presented, we need, Mr.. Davis said, eX-
pect no favors from Europe in regain
ing foothold in the Eastern markets.
We need count upon no display of
friendship from Europe in this or any
other matter. The European powers
were profoundly jealous OF the United
States, and the Senator declared that It
was fact that we had not had one
friend on the continent in our recent
struggle with Spain or in our efforts to
secure peace favorable to this country
III nj ,,it
aims attitude there would have been
intervention by the Continental powers
In this connection he referred to the
newspaper reports from London ac-
crediting him with an expression ia
vorable to an alliance of the United
States with Great Britain and Janan.
He had, he said, never advocated such
an alliance for the present, but he
would not say that the time might not
come when such an alliance would be
both wise and necessary for the preser-
walton of our right and prestige. He
believed if the Americans held the
Philippines international trouble would
be avoided. but if the contrary course
should be pursued he was most appre-
hensive Of the results.
Mr.. Davis urged the Importance of ia
vOrable action upon the treaty Mt the
present session of Congress. a failure
TO ratify meant, he argued. continued
uncertainty, renewed encouragement to
the insurcent Filipnos. possible con-
flict with them and Il prolonga ton of
the state of war with much of its ex-
pense If not with its horrors
SUNDRY CIVIL BILL
Washington, d. c., Jan. Ex-senator
Davis. from the Committee on Foreign
Relations. to-day offered an amend
ment To the Sundry Civil bill appro-
priating $50 600. 900 to pay Spain accord
ing to the terms of the treaty. The
amendment has the endorsement of the
Committee on Foreign Relations
STATUS OF GEN. WHEELER
WASHINGTON. u. c.. Ian. 2h.-rhe in