The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-15
WHAT WAS SAID
IN s. CRET SESSION.
Discussion of the Hny-Pauncefote
Treaty by Senators For and
Against.

WASHINGTON Dec. 14.--After re-
porting to the senate executive session
today the new amendments to the Hay
Paunccfote treaty. as made by the COM
mttee on foreign relations, Senator
Lodge made an effort to have a day set
for the taking of a vote upon the treaty.
He suggested next Thursday a gem
orally acceptable time. but Senator Mason
first made objection and when he with
drew IT, Senator Money suggested that
Senator Morgan has given notice that
treaty should be postponed until vote
could be secured upon the Nicaragua
canal bill. Senator Morgan, however,
stated that he was not supposed to make
these contentious any longer because he
did not wish to do anything which would
tend Great Britain to conclude that this
country desires to take threatening
Senator Butler then entered objection
to fixing time for a vote.
Senator Lodge said that in view of the
position taken he should press the treaty
upon the attention of the senate. early
and late. until vote could be had, and
he afterwards declined to move an adj
journment from today until Monday be-
cause of the refusal to allow day TO De
named for a vote.
Aside from these incidents and the re-
porting OF the new amendments suggest
ed by the committee on foreign relations.
the proceedings of today consisted wholly
OF speechmaking, the speakers being
Senators Culberson, Spooner. Lindsay,
McCumber and ElkinS.
Senator Culberson spoke for the adop-
ton of tactics similar to those outlined
by the Money resolution, which provides
for the abrogation of the Clayton ulwer
treaty by diplomatic methods. He said
that he was opposed to proceeding by
piecemeal to get rid of a compact SO
Objectionable to American ideas as the
Clayton Bulwer treaty is. He thought II
pass the Hepburn canal bill, and pro-
coed with the canal independently of all
other treaties, either in force or pending.
senator spooner's Contention.
Senator Spooner combated the argu-
ments Of Mr.. Culberson. He said that he
favored the canal and believed the United
States should have the right TO fortify
view that we should proceed in that
great work In total disregard OF the ex-
istence OF the agreement of 1850. Great
Britain. he said, IL "A friendly power,
and he would not consent to any ruth
less proceedings. But he would go at
the work of preparing for the construc-
sure the support and good will of a kim
bred people. He was therefore an advo-
cate Of the pending negotiations. He said
that Great Britain on three different oc-
casions had approached this country to
secure the abrogation of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, but upon each occasion
the United States had declined the ven
ture. This proposition had been acted
consulting congress. but at any rate the
incidents at least indicated the English
attitude upon the question of abrogation.
Favored Ratification.
Senator Lindsay spoke for the ratiica-
ton Of the treaty without further amend
ment. He said that he had even opposed
the committee amendment adopted yes
terday because In his mind the amend
ment is a concession TO Great Britain
which It is unnecessary TO make. III
the United States comedies" he said. that
without the amendment Great Britain
would have the right to pass ships
through the canal in time of war: l am
not willing to have the United States
take that position. ] think the treaty
would have been stronger without the
amendment"
Mr.. Lindsay also announced his will
ingness 60 treat with Great Britain for
the total abrogation of the Clayton-Bul-
wer treaty.
Senator MeCumber also offered ratin-
cation of the treaty without amendment.
Senator Elkins repeated the views ex-
pressed by him yesterday for absolutely
Independent action In the construction
OF the canal and in the operations OF the
United States In Central America.