The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-03-10
SYMPATHY FOR THE BOERS
SENATOR M1SON'S RESOL U1ION
DISCUSSED IN SECRET SESSION.
Objects to Taking Matter Out

Mr. Lodge objects to Taking Matter Out
or Foreign Relations Committe tee's
Hands-Danger OF Open Dcbutc--An
Amendment Providing That Prcsi-
dent Tender His Friendly Offices.
Washington, March 9--Discusson of
Mr.. Mason's resolution expressing SYM
pathy for the Beers was conducted in
the senate to-day behind closed doors,
Mr.. Davis, chairman of the committee
on foreign relations, demanding that the
doors be closed. Senator Mason object
ed, but to no avail.
Senator Lodge, speaking for the COM
mttee on foreign relations, said that it
was an unheard of matter, as proposed
to take the resolution out of the hands
of the something that had
never been done--and that 1t was dis
| courtesy which should not be done a
| comittee of the senate. AS to open
| session, Mr.. Lodge said that matters
might be brought out which should not
| be published. Senator Mason respond
ed that it would find It's way into the
| papers, anyway. He saw no reason
why the simple motion to discharge the
committee should not be discussed in
public.
Mr.. Lodge said that the debate would
not be confined to the motion, but
would go into the merits of the resolu-
tion itself and that was the danger Of
having the debate in public. Mr.. Mason
replied that there could be no grave
la ne tn thic fry In
cussion. The only people with whom
the United States wac at war were the
Filipinos and he could not see how this
race could profit by what senators said
concerning the war in South Africa.
Senator Spooner opposed discussing
the resolution in public. He was in
sympathy he said, with the Beers and
the people might be, but this was a
governmental matter and Great Britain
would have cause for offense If this
government should take any action. Mr.
Mason replied that this was a senate
resolution requiring neither the assent
of the house nor of the executive, and
would be simply an expression of the
senate.
Mr. Spooner said that at the same
time it would be taken as an express
sion Of the government. The question
was one for the executive and not for
the senate. Mr.. Mason had no right to
have a vote on this question. Mr.. Ma
son retored that he had right to try,
and would continue to try.
Mr.. Hoar said he was in favor of pre-
pairing a resolution asking the president
to offer his good offices In an attempt
at mediation and II the Mason resolu-
tion Of sympathy should be passed 1t
would prevent the passage of such a
resolution and stop the president from
making the tender on his own account.
Mr.. Tillman then offered substitute
for the Mason resolution requesting the
president to tender his friendly offices
for mediation. The resolution was as
follows.
THAT the president be requested to
offer the mediation and kindly offices
of the United States government to put
an end to the war in South Africa and
secure peace between Great Britain and
the Dutch republics Oh terms honorble
to both parties to the conflict"
Mr. Lodge made the point of order
that substitute resolution could not
be offered to the resolution nof in COM
mittee and the point was sustained
Mr.. Hale made a speech in favor of the
Beers, similar to the one he delivered |
in open session some time ago. He |
added that he was in favor Of the Mason |
resolution, but it was useess to try to |
get an expression of sympathy from the |
senate.
The subject of an alleged secret alli-
ance came up. Mr.. Mason said we were
told every day there was not a secret |
alliance. If there was not, he said, let
us carry out our usual habit in such
cases. We always had passed resolu-
tions of sympathy with struggling re-
publics, and we should do so now.
There was nothing against Great Brit
ain in the resolution.
Mr.. Spooner responded that England
had been our friend in the Spanish war
and we should do nothing to interrupt
those friendly relations Mr. Hoar
said that great question of right or
wrong was involved and it should be
settled regardless of questions Of friend
ship, whether 1t was Of Spain, England !
Or the czar of Russia.
Mr.. Depew said he had recently been
waited upon by a committee of Fin
anders who wanted the United States
o take action upon the outrages per-
upon them by the car. He
asked why it was that when the Junior
senator from Illinois was bubbling over
With sympathy some of it had not
washed over on the Finlanders Mr..
Mason responded that he had num-
Der Of other resolutions on tap which
lie would introduce, but just at pres
mt he was anxious to have action for
he Beers, who most needed it. 1t is
Understood that the motion will be de-
hted again next week.
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