New-York tribune., 1900-12-14
CANAL TREATY AMENDED
SENA TIE ADOPTS PROVISION
FOR Defence.
THE DECISIVE VOTE OF So TO II FORE
SHADOWS A SPEEDY RATIFICA-
TION - OTHER AMEND
MENTS OFFERED
Tsr TELEGRAPH To THE rR1BUNE.I
MENTs OFFERED.

MF.NTS OFFERED.
[BY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
Washington. Dec 13-The decisive vote-65
to 1T-by which the Senate to-day adopted the
so-called Davis amendment to the Hay-Paunce-
fote Canal Treaty foreshadOws the speedy catifi-
cation of that convention in a form which will
compel it's resubmission to the British Govern
ment. The widespread conviction that. lacking
the Davis proviso. the treaty would be rejected
in the Senate. led many Senators who have ques-
toned the necessity efficiency of that diplo-
matte rider to give it their support to-day,
with view to smoothing the conventions path
toward ultimate approval No very clear idea
exists of the actual scope and force of the
stipulation that the United States may take
along the line of the canal such steps may in
sure from time to time the defence Of its own
| rather distant borders But majority Of the
Senators plainly incline 10 the belief that some
such saving clause in the convention however
Indefinite. may be found useful in situations
which may easily arise in the of the pro-
posed sthmian canals history.
The amendment which adopted is a pro-
vision to be inserted after Section Of Article II
| Of the treaty, and is as follows
It is agreed. however, that none Of the i'm
in Sections Nos. 1, .. 3. and D, of this article
shall apply to measures which the United States
its own forces the defence of the United States
and the maintenance Of public order.
| The Senate did not close it's doors until
o'clock and there was then eft only one hours
| time for discussion of the provisions Of the
| amendment. The vote was taken by ayes and
noes, and the negative votes were given by
Senators Bard, Beveridge, Frye, Foster. Hans
brough. Lindsay Mason McCumber. McEnery.
Mcbride. Morgan. Money. Stewart. Tillman
Wellington, Wocott and Gallnger.
FURTHER AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED
The amendment no sooner had been adopted
than various Senators took the floor to suggest
| further amendments. The amendment which
probably attracted most attention was offered
by Senator Elkins and is follows:
Nothing in this treaty shall be construed to
prevent the United States from acquiring suffi-
! cient security and sovereignty or to prevent it
| from building. operating, maintaining, control
ling and defending the said canal (referring TO
! the proposed Nicaragua Canal), or for any other
purpose that the United States may deem for
its best interest.
Other amendments suggested by Sena-
tors Tilman, Allen, Money and Thurston- Sen
| ator Thurston's suggestion provides that the
ULited States may defend the canal and Sena-
tor Tillman's makes the committee amendment
adopted by to-days vote apply to all the provi-
sions of Article H. This would have the effect.
it is believed. of multiplying the provision OF Sec
tion Of the article providing against the forth
ication Of the canal. Other amendments were
offered striking out Sections and of Article
II. Senator Teller said that If Senator Elkins's
amendment should be adopted he would not
press his amendment for the modification Of Sec
tion Z. to omit provision against the for
tifcation Of the canal
Senator Lodge, who is in charge OF the treaty,
was not slow to recognize the futility of trying
For he
as amended at to-day's session. and as soon as
the amendments were all submitted he moved
an adjournment until tomorrow. which was
carried.
Mr.. ELKINs FOR RADICAL CHANGES.
Before taking the vote on the amendment
Senator Elkins occupied the greater portion OF
the Senates time with speech advocating rad
icaI alteration Of the treaty. He announced
himself ia yorable to the committee amend
ment but said that to his mind that amend
nent did not go far enough to meet the wishes
of the American people He believed. he said.
that if the canal was TO be constructed by the
Government OF the United States the people
would demand complete and absolute control
over the canal itself. and also the right to
ercise their own Judgment, as a Nation not
only in acquiring property in connection with
the canal but. if need be, in securing SOW
ereignty over it. He cOntended that TO pursue
this involved no violation of fnterna-
tional rights. and in defence of this position
said that the United States had made an Of
fensive and defensive treaty with France in
1893. and soon afterward had repudated that
obligation. He also cited other precedents and
authorities, of them from English sources,
in support of this position. He argued. In short
that changed conditions warrant a change in
conduct and in position. The speech was heard
with much interest, and a motion offered
TO have ii made public. Objection, however
was raised and the order was not made.
After the Senate adjourned for the day the
republican Committee Order Of Business
held session 10 decide the future line OF
action with reference to the treaty amended
After the meeting Senator Lodge said that the
Senate would proceed with the treaty, and that
he would continue his efforts TO have 1t ratified
TO END CLAYTON-BULwER TREATY.
Senator Money to-day introduced a resolution
providing authority for the abrogation of the
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty by diplomatic negotia-
tions Following is the text:
Resolved. That the President Of the United
States be respectfully requested to consider the
expediency of opening negotiations with the Gov
ernment of Great Britain FOR the abrogation OF
the ClaytOn-BulweT Treaty, with assurance that
such action his part will meet with the
hearty consent and support of the Senate.