New-York tribune., 1900-03-10
BOER WAR IN THE .SENA TIE.
MR.. MASON'S RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY

Washington. March s.-Discussion of Mr.. Masons
resolution expressing sympathy 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. Mr.. Mason had moved that the committee
be discharged from consideration OF his resolution
Mr.. Davis said that public discussion OF the sub
Ject in the Senate might result in disturbing
listing relations between the United States and
friendly Power. He thought. therefore, that any
thing of the kind should be avoided.
Mr. Mason said there was no reason why this
motion should not be discussed openly unless some
one wanted to conceal something.
Senator Lodge, speaking for the Committee on
Foreign Relations, said it was an unheard of mat
ter TO take the resolution of the hands OF the
committee-somethng that had been DONE
and that 1t discourtesy which should not
be done to a committee of the Senate.
Mr.. Mason replied that II would find it's way into
the papers anyway. He why the
simple motion to discharge the committee should
not be discussed in public
Mr. Lodge said the debate would not be con-
fined to the motion and would go the merits
or the resolution, and that was the danger Of hav-
ing the debate IN public
Mr.. Mason replied that there could he no grave
oahger to this country In any such discussion.
Senator Spooner opposed discussing the resolu-
to1 In public. He was in sympathy he said with
the Hocrs, and the people might be. but this was
a governmental matter and Great Britain would
nave cause for offence II this Government should
take any action.
MT Mason replied that this a Senate resolu-
ton. requiring the assent of neither the House
nor the Executive and would be simply an ex-
preston of the Senate
Mr.. Spooner said 1t would be taken os an e,
preston Of the Government. The question was
one for the Executive. and not for the Senate
MT Mason had right to have a vote on this
question.
Mr.. Mason retorted that he had right to try.
and would continue to try
MI Hoar said he was in favor Of passing reso-
u'ioh ASKING the President to offer his good offices
IN an attempt at mediation and II the Mason
resolution OF sympathy should be passed II would
prevent the passage of such a resolution and ston
the President from making the tender on his own
account.
Mr. Tillman then offered substitute for the
Mason resolution. requesting the President TO ten
ner his friendly offices for mediation The reso-
luton is follows:
That the President be requested TO offer the
mediation and kindly Offices OF the United States
and Ald'a the and 1uSS between Great
both parties to the conflict.
Mr.. Lodge made the point of order that a sub
stitute resolution could not be offered to the reso-
iution now in committee. and the point was sus-
tanned
Mr.. Hale made a speech in favor OF the Roe,s
similar 10 the one he delivered in open session soma
time ago He added that he was In favor OF the
MASON resolution. but that 1t was useless try to
get an expression OF sympathy from the Senate
The subject OF an alleged secret alliance came up
Mr. Mason said we told every day that there
is no secret alliance 'If there Is not he said
let us carry out usual habit IN such cases
We always have passed resolutions Of sympathy
with struggling republics. and should do so
now There was nothing against Great Britain
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
This brought Mr.. Hoar TO his feet He said that
great question OF right and wrong was involved
and 1t should be settled regardless Of questions OF
friendship whether It OF Spain. England or the
Car OF Russia. - ~
Mr Depew said he had recently been waited upon
py committee OF Finlanders. who wanted the
nUcd states 10 take action upon the outrages
p&erpeirated & upon them by tho Car. He asked
Why II was that when the Junior Senator from
!iIinois was bubbling over with sympathy some of
IL had not swashed over the Finlanders
Mr. Mason replied that he had a number Of other
resolutions on tap which he would Introduce but
Just at present he was anxious to have action for
the Beers. who most needed H.
The morning hour having expired no action was
taken. 49, ~ ''
II is understood that the motion will be debated
again next week.