New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-17
PHILIPPINES THE THEME.
THE SENATE REFUSES TO CALL FOB
THE PRESIDENTS INSTRUCTIONS
TO PEACE COMMISSIONERS.
U TELEeRAPH ID - rn1nrrr1

b@4 AGLEGI-APH 10 TRIBUNE-l
washington. Jan 16-The senate's daily dis
cussion OF Philippine policy turned this after
noon on request which Mr. Pettigrew wautea
to nave Incorporated in Mr. Hoar's resolution q
inquiry for the text OF the instructions given 70
the American Peace Commissioners 70 Paris IN
1915 Senator Davis. one OF the members OF the
Peace Commission and chairman OF the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations. opposed the
idea OF calling on the President for such sugzes-
tons as he may have communicated to this
country's representatives in Paris. and on hIx
motion the Senate went into a ten minute secret
session As the motion 70 table Mr. PettIerew's
amendment could only be acted on in legislative
session. the doors were reopened and a vote was
taken. Mr.. Pettigrew's proposition was defeated
by II to 2O-a two-thirds majority. Three Dem
ocrats-Messrs- Lindsay, McLaurin and Pettus-
and one Silverite-8Ir. Stewart-joined with the
Republicans in defeating the request for the IN
structions- Two RepubIicans-Messrs. Hoar and
Wellington-and two silverites-Messrs Petit
grew aid Teller-voted with the minority.
MR. HOAR's RESOLUTION TAKEN Up
When the resolution Of MI Pettigrew calling
for Information regarding the conduct os the
war in the Philippines was laid before the Sen
ate Mr. Lodge moved that the resolution and the
one which he had offered as a substitute for II
be laid on the table. in order that that offered
The motion was agreed TO.
The resolution introduced by Mr.. Hoar was
then submitted to the Senate. together with an
amendment offered by 5Ir. Lodge TO which Nh.
Hoar had agreed It was about to be passed
when Mr.. Pettigrew offered an amendment caE<
ing for information as to all the Instructions
which the President had given the Commission
who had negotiated the Treaty OF Paris. to-
gether with the correspondence between TIE
President and the Commissioners.
Mr.. Davis made the point OF order against The
amendment that il was executive business
President Frye. who was one OF the COmrnis-
sicners. overrued the point. because. he said, IL
was within the discretion OF the President
whether he should send the information TO thu
Senate or not.
Then" said Mr. Davis with much feeling. Il
desire TO protest in the strongest possible man
ner 70 a public discussion OF this amendment
may say that nothing passed between the Presi-
dent and the Commissioners TO which I should
raise objection to publication. but there are mat
tiers which ought not 10 be made public at this
time. I find il difficult Mr.. President. TO speak
in the open Senate Mr.. Davis then moved
that the Senate proceed to the consideration OF
executive business. This was agreed TO-
After the doors were closed Mr. Davis Gid not
continue his speech. IL had been supposed he
would, but Immediately moved to lay the amend
ment on the table. Mr.. HOar made the point OF
order that this motion could not De properly
made or debated in secret session President
FRYE ruled in accordance with Mr. HOar's sug-
gestion. and the doors were reOpened 70 permit
the making OF the motion in order.
PETTIGREw's AMENDMENT TABLED
Mr. Davis then moved that the amendment
offered by Mr.. Pettigrew be laid on the table,
and; the motion was carried. fl to 20.
After the announcement Of the vote, Mr. Tel
Ter explained that he had voted against the mo-
tfon because the President had the power 20
send any communication TO the Senate IN secret
and because he believed that all attempts 70
keep from the public information OF the kino
asked for by the resolution were likely 10 Greats
MI. HOar regarded the action OF the majority
as a most remarkable proceeding
Mr. Spooler said. The President has bean
nArFectIy frank with US in this matter. and al
Of US know just what was done IN respect 70
the Paris Treaty.
} Mr. Hale followed with a brief statement N
which he said: The result OF the negotiation
Of the Paris Treaty was to my mind caIanai-
tous-"
The debate was closed by Mr.. Vest. who made
a speech in opposition 10 the assumption n
some quarters that every man who does not
agree with the policy OF the Administration IS
q traitor to his country
Mr. McLaurin, Of South Carolina addressed
the Senate on the financial question, making
fer authority on State banks to Issue circulating
notes.
At 2-45 o'clock the Senate went into executive
session. and at 4:55 adjourned.