New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-18
TREATY VOTE THURSDAY.
UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT REACHED IN
THE SENATE
NO DOUBT OF RATIFICATION AS AMENDED
CENTRAL AMERICAN REPUBLICS
FRIENDLY.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1RuxE.I ]

[BT TELEGRAPH THE TRIRuSsl
Washington. Dec. 1.-THE agreement reached
in the Senate to-day to vote on Thursday next
on the Hay -Pauncefote Canal Treaty and the
pending amendments puts an end to all talk
that fbustering fight is to be made TO delay
final action on the remodelled convention with
Great Britain. A two-thirds majority for the
treaty as modified by the terms of the Davis
and Foraker provisos will be easily obtainable,
and no serious disposition is shown by the small
minority hostile under all circumstances to
ratification to obstrucc a vote through diIatory
procedure Reports that Nicaragua and Costa
Rica have recently shown a purpose to interpose
some fresh and unexpected obstacles in the way
of canal construction dismissed here
mere attempts at sensationalism. Neither Mica
ragua nor Costa Rica is at present in a position
| to announce The policy which it will follow after
the future of the isthmian waterway is assured
by this country's action. Each of these Central
American republics is watching the progress
of canal legislation in wholly receptive spirit,
and neither wishes to hamper the United States
| in any steps this Government may take to in
sure the construction of the canal. either on its
own unaided responsibility or by virtue of an
international neutrality agreement.
Just before adjournment late this afternoon
| the Senate gave its consent to the fixing of
definite time to vote on the treaty
Senators Money and Mason had occupied the
time of the executive session in making speeches
! on the treaty and when Mr.. Mason concluded
! Senator Lodge renewed his request to take a
vote next Thursday.
No voice was raised in opposition, and
unanimous agreement was recorded. The un-
derstanding is that the vote shall be taken on
the am .ndments at 8 o'clock, and that the Ser
ate shall continue in session until the vote on
the treaty itself is reached
MR.. MONEY AGAINST THE TREATY.
! Senator Moneys speech was protest against
the entire proceedings in connection with the
treaty He talked for two hours. contending
for the right of the United States to act in
this matter independently of other nations. He
said that conditions had changed greatly since
/ 1850 when the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was
| made and added that while the interest Of
/ Great Britain in constructing canal across the
isthmus and in maintaining its neutrality had
diminished greatly because of the construction
of the Suez Canal. the interest of the United
States in an isthmian canal had been vastly in
creased because of the growing trade and the
newly acquired possessions in the Orient He
said while England demanded that the United
States Should not fortify the proposed isthmian
canal she herself had Notifications which prac-
ticalIy control the Suez Canal. He read copious
extracts from speeches by Stephen A. Douglas
Cthe last mentioned in his instructions to Min
lister LowelD in support of his position He called
attention to the fact that the Hepburn bill pro-
vides explicitly for the defence of the canal
and he asserted that the treaty should be de-
feated outright and the Canal bill passed in
it's stead.
MIR. MASON FOR AMENDMENT.
Senator Mason spoke in support Of his sug-
sested amendment authorizing the United States
to defend the canal as it may deem proper He
presented the arguments in support of the right
to defend the waterway. He corrected at the
outset the impression that in his effort to have
the treaty amended he seeking to antago-
nize the Administration. Nothing, he said. was
further from his thoughts because he believed
that In this as in all other matters. the Admin
istration had been entirely patriotic His differ
ence of view cue, he said, to a different
conception of the way to reach a common end
that common end being the welfare of the
American people.
/ He then proceeded to make his argument for
the right to defend the canal in case this cOun-
| try constructs it with It's own money. He de-
/ clared that the present instance furnishes the
first precedent of great Nation being asked to
agree not to defend a great public work the
! construction of which il is contemplating. He
+ did not consider that Great Britain should un-
/ dertake to say what the United States should do
! in the matter. At the same time he said he
/ would have it understood that he was not actu-
/ ated in his position by any hostile feeling to-
4 ward Great Britain. for, While he considered
| that country in the scar and yellow leaf" he
/ thought that should deal with it as we would
! either the weakest nation or the strongest. In
/ other words he said. our dealing should be
/ the plane of justice and the manly assertion Of
/ our own rights.
RIGHT OF DEFENCE ASSERTED.
Mr.. Mason said there and could be no
contention over the question OF the right Of the
/ Nation to defend itself and its citizens and
property. and he argued that the recognition Of
/ this right must enforce concession OF the right
/ to make precautionary defence. Not only. he
/ argued. have we the right a nation to erect
/ Notifications as 2 means OF defence but we
have the right. according 10 international usage.
I to enter neutral or friendly territory and there
/ make assault IL need be. This point he sup
ported by the citation of authorities.
If the United States should construct the
canal at its cost. he said IL would have the
natural right TO defend 1t. subject only to its
! treaties with Costa Rica and Nicaragua. lie
contended that this cOuntry's natural right OF
defence is more definitely fixed under interna-
tional law than under the Clayton Bulwer
/ Treaty and said that our rights would be much
/ stronger il the canal were built by the Nation
DEERFooT FARM sAUsAGEs