New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-17
SENATE md THE TREATY
,rFIcuLT TO PREDICT oUTcoME-DE-
SIRE TO EXPEDITE CANAL
LEGISLATION.
LEGISLATION.


IBy TELEGRAPH 10 TIE TEmUSEl
washington. Dec l6.-The Senate already has
devoted more time 10 the consideration OF the
Eav.Paunoefote Treaty than TO any other meas
ne With which il has had 10 deal during the
with Congress, and still the end Of the discus
.,on IS not in sight. For this reason IT is haz-
srdous 10 venture a guess 10 the outcome
The President might put an end to the Nrangle
nv Withdrawing the treaty. but the fact that he
has net done This is accepted as evidence Of his
intention not 10 attempt TO interfere with the
senate's course in isthmian canal legislation
MI Mckinley has been urged by some OF his
most trusted advisers TO withdraw the treaty
and permit Secretary Hay to reopen negotia-
tions with Great Britain on the subject along the
lines indicated by the debate in the Senate on
the various proposals to amend the original
convention. but in declining this advice the Pres
tsent seems TO be guided by what he believes to
be the highest interests of the canal itself. That
is to say, the President the real friend of the
canal. is said TO be impressed with the belief
that IL he should withdraw the Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty at this time. even on the understanding
that he was TO send another convention on the
subject to the Senate. canal legislation would
be indefinitely postponed.
The feeling is growing that opposition to the
Hay-Pauneefote Treaty is largely opposition to
the canal itself. Hence, the real friends of the
snterprise-to which category belong both the
President and Secretary Hay-perceive that they
can advance its interests best by permitting the
Senate TO hammer away at the treaty until the
convention is reduced to terms acceptable to
that group Of Senators which it is suspected is
eager TO find an excuse for delaying, il not de-
feating outright, all canal legislation.
In spite Of some rather immoderate language
IN the radical section OF the British press there
is firm conviction in Washington that nearly
all OF the proposed notifications of the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty would be accepted by the
Salisbury Government This conviction. indeed.
Is based upon the knowledge that Lord Paunce-
fote does not favor the suggestion for the with
drawal Of the treaty and the reopening Of the
entire subject. While, Of course the British
Ambassador. rejecting the feelings OF his Gov
eminent, is disappointed. and. in fact. aggra-
waited, by the Senate's refusal to accept the con-
vention substantially in its original form, still
he is understood to take the broad ground that
the interests Of his nation viii be better sub
served through the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, ir-
respective OF notifications by the Senate, than
II present negotiations should wholly fail.
TO EXPEDITE CANAL LEGISLATION.
It is obvious that the Administration. by fail
ing 10 withdraw the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty
and substituting another convention. so phrased
as TO meet the avowed objection of the Senate,
is showing desire to expedite canal legislation.
It is realized that the canal question is well
understood by the country. and that il will be-
come a dangerous political issue if definite &C
ton in some form is delayed. either by stubborn
ness or other contributory cause on the part Of
the party in power. II is this consideration, it
is said. more than any other, that is holding
Secretary Hay in the Cabinet. No effort is
made by his friends 10 conceal the fact that Mr..
se he
accorded the work of his mind and heart, and
he feels that the best interests Of the Govern
ment as regards the canal are being endangered.
There is an impression among his Cabinet
seciates that IL the Senate makes the treaty
impossible Of ratification by the other Power
the Secretary will consider il an expression Of
want OF confidence" in him and resign. Colonel
Hay is aware that he put the most earnest work
OF his life the convention which bears his
name. and ne is willing that his fame in history
as an American patriot and statesman should
rest upon the ultimate achievements made posi-
bic by the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. He cannot
therefore, understand why his purposes or his
motives have been so misinterpreted by the
country. or at least by the Senate.
With the possible exception Of his conduct OF
the Chinese negotiations Secretary Hay is
prouder OF act in his public career than of
the canal treaty Whether or not President Nc
Kinley would readily consent 10 the retirement
from his Cabinet of Mr.. Hay cannot be stated
j
freely discussed the subject with his Secretary
on the latter's initiative, and that he has
nestly requested him TO be patient until the
storm blows over.
TEST VOTE PROBABLE THIS WEEK.
BY the end Of this week it is believed all OF
the chief points of doubt in the matter. even
including Secretary Hays course, will be dis
solved. In the long executive session Saturday
Mr. Lodge made two or three unsuccessful ef-
forts 20 fix haal vote on the treaty for Thurs
day Senator Money led the opposition to fixing
a date for vote. intimating a determination 10
flibuster and thus postpone final action indefi-
nitely, or. at least beyond this Congress The
effect Of this would be exactly contrary TO the
Administrators desire. which is, as before
stated 10 expedite canal legislation with all
proper speed.
The Administration is earnestly DESTROYS of re-
deeming the pledge 10 the people and of making
q real beginning on the canal Hence, it can
be expected that Senator Lodge Will renew his
efforts to force an early date for a final vote
The President also is in close touch with Sen
ators Foraker and Aldrich on this subject. and
they will aid Senator Lodge in his effort TO
hasten action. II is therefore thought that
al least a test vote viii be had before the
week is out. Then the Administration and all
the ether friends OF the canal enterprise will
know approximately what the situation and the
outlook are, ana VIII be able TO govern them
selves accordingly.