The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-14
SENATE VOTED
TO DEFEND CANAL
Hay PaunCefote Treaty
Amended.
DECISIVE MAJOR!Tk
SMty-Fve for and Seventeen Against
Amendment.
FURTHER CHANGES SUGGESTED.
Senator ElSins advocated Radical
| Alterations in Treaty So That
Uuitcd States Should Have
Complete and Absolute
Control Over the
| Waterway.
FURTHER CHANGES SUGGESTED,
(By Associated Press,

WASHINGTON, Dec. BIN accordance
with previous agreement the Senate, in
executive session, took vote at 3 o clock
on the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. authorizing
the United States to defend it's interests
in the canal. The Senate did not close it's
doors until o'clock. ana enere was left
only one hours time for discussion of the
provisions of the amendment
The vote was taken by yeas and nays.
6s0votes being cast in favor of the amend
meat and Il against it. The negative
votes were as follows:
Baird Beveridge. Frye, Foster. Hans
broush, Lindsay, Mason, AIcCumber Nc
Emery, Mcbride, Morgan, Money. Stewart.
TiIlsnan. Wellington. Wallcott and Gallin-
ger.
THE AMENDMENT.
After the amendment offered by the
committee was passed upon. various other
amendments received the attention of the
Senate, but none of them were acted upon.
The amendment which was adopted was
a provision to be inserted after section s. ar
ticle ., of the treaty. and is as follows:
1T is agreed. however. that none OF the
immediate foregoing conditions and stipu-
lations in sections numbered enc, two,
three, four and five of tnis article. shall
apply to measures which the United States
may find it necessary to take for securing
by its own forces the defense of the
United States and the maintenance of pub
lie order.
The committee amendment no sooner
had been adopted than various Senators
ment. The amendment which probably
attracted most attention was offered by
Senator Elkins and is:
Nothing in this treaty shall be con-
strued to prevent the United States from
acquiring sufficient security and sover-
eighty or to prevent it from building,
operating, maintaining. controlling, and
defending the said canal. Pseferrins to
the proposed Nicdraguztn canan; or Tor
any other purpose than the United States
may deem for its best interests
Other amendments were suggested by
Senator's Tillman. Money and ,Fhurston.
Mr.. Thurstons resolution provides that
the United States may defend the canal.
and Senator Tillman made the resolution
adopted by to-ttay'S vote apply to all the
provisions of the article.
Other amendments were offered striking
out sections and OF article . Senator
Teller said that ii Senator Elkins amend
menr should be adopted he would
not press his amendment for the
modification of section SO as 70
omit provision against the fortifi-
cation of the canal
Senator Lodge. in charge Of the BILL
when all amendments were submitted.
moved an adjourned until tomorrow,
which motion prevailed.
RADICAL ALTERATIONS.
Previous to the vote. Senator Elkins
occupied the greater part OF the time with
a speech advocating radcul alteration OF
the treaty. He announced himself as fav-
orabe to the committee amendment. out
said that to his mind that amendment
did not go far enough to meet the wishes
OF the American people.
He believed. he said, TINT II the canal
was TO be constructed by the United
States the people would demand complete
and ahsolute control over the canal itself
and also the right to exercise their own
Judgment as Il nation, not only in nc
,urine property in connection with the
canal but if need be in securing sover-
eighty over it, He contenGed that TO pur-
sue this course involved TO violation or
international rights and in defense of this
position said the United states had made
a defensive and offensive treaty WITH
France in .793, and afterwards repudiated
that ooligation, und he also cited other
precedeut.,. He argued, in short. that
changed conditions warrant d chanse IN
conduct and in position
The Republican Committee on Order OF
Business later he'd session to decide
upon the future line OF action with ref
erence to the treaty as amended Stose-
Guently Senator Lodge. who was with the
| the committee. stated that the Senate
| would proceed with the treaty and that
| he would continue his efforts TO have it
\ tifjeT