The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-15

Proposed Changes Which AbrOgate
the CIayton-Bulwer Treaty


Associated Press Dispatch
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-THE Senate
committee on foreign relations to-day re-
ported two important amendments TO the
-Pauncefote treaty, one providing for
abrogation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
in an indirect way and the other striking
out Article 8 and inviting all the powers
to adhere to the agreement No action
was taken on the amendments.
Unless amended beyond any degree pro-
posed in the Senate by the responsible
leaders, and resolved into such form as
to make it absolutely discourteous the
pending Hay-Pauncefote treaty will be
submitted to the British government by
the President The communication will
be purely pro forma, for the administra-
ton has not the slightest idea that the
convention will be accepted by the British
government If this belief is We'll found
ed. then the document will go into the
limbo of treaties failed of ratification, its
position comparing in degree with the
Olney- -Pauncefote arbitration treaty. The
President might, If he regards the amend
ments made by the Senate TO the treaty
as Objectionable, take upon himself the
responsibility of administering the final
stroke, by simply withholding 1t from the
British government There is precedent
for such action in the disposal made of
certain treaties by President Cleveland.
But in that case the objection was all on
our side, while, in the present, it is as
sumed that Great Britain may be the
party 10 whom the amendments are as
obnoxious and so might be properly ac
corded the privilege of passing upon them
finally That is the administration view Of
the situation.
Notwithstanding what amounted to the
authoritative denial that the secretary of
state had resigned, the story was per-
sistently circulated during the day, and
finally reached the ears of some of Secre-
tary Hays fellow Cabinet officers. These
declare that nothing whatever was said at
the Cabinet meeting to-day on this sub
ject, and said even the treaty proceedings
I'm the Senate yesterday were not discussed.
So, as before stated, it is not to be ex-
pected that there will be any change m
the head of the State Department. for the
present at least.
NO DAY FIXED FOR VOTE
After reporting to the Senate In execu-
tive session the two new important amend
ments to the treaty made by the COM
mittee or foreign relations. Senator Lodge
made an effort to have a day set for the
taking of vote on the treaty. lie sug-
gested next Thursday as the generally ac-
ceptable time, but Senator Mason first
made objection, and when he Withdrew 1t
Senator Money suggested that Senator
Morgan had given notice that he would
ask that the vote on the treaty should be
Lostponed until vote could be secured
upcn the Nicaragua canal bill. Senator
Morgan. however, stated that he was not
disposed to make that contention any
longer, because he did not wish to do any
thing which would lead Great Britain to
conclude that this country desires TO take
a threatening position. Senator Butler
then entered objection TO fixing a time for
a vote. Senator Lodge said that, in view
OF the position taken, he should press the
treaty on the attention OF the Senate early
and late until a vote could be had. and he
afterwards declined to move an adjourn
ment from to-day until Monday because
of the refusal TO allow day TO be named
for vote
When the Senate went into executive
session Senator Lodge reported two amend
nsenfs agreed on I'm committee The first
Of these inserts the wosds (which is here