The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-23
SUNDAY, DECEMBER %. 1900.
ME-. LODGE ON TREATIES.

Mr.. Lodge. Senator from Massachusetts.
making a settlement in the United States
Senate on Friday last. in which he en-
deavored TO defend the action OF that
body IN declaring the C!ayton-Bulwer
treaty aorogated. said:
1T is well recognized in international
law that when conditions under which
treaty has been made have radically
changed, and new conditions and Tew de-
unands have arisen this fact is an ample
ground for seeking an abrogatlon or nod1-
fication of the original instrument The
Senate is part of the treaty-rnakirG power.
and treaties Sent 10 it for ratification are
ma strictly treaties, but projects for trea-
Ties"
II Mr.. Lodge had really meant that all
the Senate seeks TO do is TO get Great
BRITAIN 10 consent to modification OF the
C.luy-ton-I3ulwer treaty, there could have
been no exceptions taken TO what he says.
usut Mr. Lodge is disingenious. lie Knows
the Senate proposes to abrogate and nul-
iify that treaty by its own act only and
without the consent of Great Britain and
MIR. Lodge is che of the foremost advo-
cafes in the Senate OF that line Of ac;icn.
Further. if air. Lodge had Included in
the treaties that a country may abrogate
those only which provide a rule for future
conduct, no one could have taken any ex-
ceptaons 10 his remarks. Further still, if
Mr. Lodge were ignorant of the principles
of International law that govern the
case. we could pity him for attempting
TO deal with a case that he did not under
stand but there would be no censure Of
srtln THAT reflected upon him as a man or
q Senator. But Mr.. Lodge is not ignorant
in the premises. He is q man Of culture
and learning, aEpd he understands the
principles of International law that apply
here as we'll as any one. AIr. Lodge knows
that when two nations have a treaty in
existence between them that furnishes a
rule Of action for The future. either one Of
the Two may put an end 10 that treaty
whenever 1t chooses, with or without
cause But he also knows that when two
lfations hare had "a controversy respecting
their rights in a certain matter, and they
appoint commissioners To settle thae. con-
troversy. ard these commissioners actually
settle it azld this settlement is ratified
by their principals. thai such a treaty
can no more he abrogated and -epudiated
under the international law by one of the
Ilations without the consent o: the ether
than q r1!aEI can take back his house he
has sold 10 mis- neishbor and been paid
the price CT M Lodge inlows this fact
as we'll as any man in this country, and |
ale is dlsi1lgenious. therefore, when he |
really attempts TO defend such action as |
tld.t under the 7oreteglse that he is deal |
ing with u case where the treaty lrtriGes
FOR future action only.
We have never yet for one roncnt be-
Gieved that the c5rarnon sense and justice
OF the American people viii s~cr allow our
Jhpgoes TO carry this case 10 s-ch an ex-
Sregne as wifi give Great Britain ground |
10 complain that we ara Invading her
rights. WhIle the matter Is ccrt;lIed 20 |
H7aportns aald big words ehc American
people VIII pay very little attention to
st, Eut If the j.nsoes attempt 10 put their
IDEAS into execution ?oy trespassing upon
British rights NC ha.e sole,nniy cove
:laneed with England we would respect,
we have entire cozlddecsce that the -Anmcri-
caa people WIZ be heard from. and in 10
uncertain tones Of condemnation Our
concern in the matter HAS been more for
the honor ana credit OF the country Than
Cor acsyth!g7g else Nc haze been 10th to
sec the United States put before The world
IN tho attitude OF ~ Power that via not
iaeep fa4ta. aeid it is for this reason we
Erave so >tr-nuoussy opposed the action
threatened IN Washington.