Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-14
56TH CONGRESS-.
Senate, 65 to II, Adopts
Treaty Amendment
Authorizing United States to Defend
Interests in Nicaraguan Canal.
Senate; Hanna Makes an Able Argum.n. Tor
Ship Subsidy Bill.

1
with previous agreement the Senate
in executive session took a vote at 3
o'clock, today. on the amendment to
| the Hay Pauncefote treaty authoriZ-
ing the United States to defend it's in
! terest in the canal The Senate did not
close it's doors until o'clock and there
was then left only one hours time for
| discussion of the provisions of the
amendment. The vote was taken by
yeas and nays, Go votes being cast in
favor of the amendment and II against
| it. The negative votes We're as follows:
Baird, Beverage. Frye, Foster, Hans
| brough, Lindsay. Mason. McCumber,
McEnery, Mcbride, Morgan, Money,
Stewart. Tillman, Wellington, Wolcott
and Gallinger.
| After the amendment offered by the
committee was passed upon various
| other amendments received the atten-
! ton Of the Senate for brief time, but
none of them was acted upon.
| The committee amendment which
was adopted is a provision to be in
serted after Section Five Of Article ? Of
the treaty, and is as follows:
| 1T is agreed. however, that none of
the Immediately foregoing conditions
and stipulations in sections numbered
| one. two. three. four and five Of this
article shall apply 10 measures which
the United States may find it neces-
sary TO take for securing by its own
forces the defense of the United States
| and the maintenance of public order"
The committee amendment had no
| sooner been adopted than various
senators took the floor to suggest fur
Their amendments. The amendment
which probably attracted most atten-
ton was offered by Senator Elkins and
is as follows:
Nothing in this treaty shall be con-
strued to prevent the United States
| from acquiring sufficient security and
sovereignty or to prevent it from
building. operating. maintaining, con-
trolling and defending the said canal
| referring to the proposed Nicaraguan
canal Or for any other purpose that
the United States may deem for its
| best interests.
Other amendments We're suggested
Senators Tillman. Allen. Money and
Thurston. Senator Thurston's sugges-
| ton provides that the United States
may defend the canal and Senator
Tillman makes the committee amend
ment adopted by today's vote apply to
all the provisions of article >. This
would have the effect. it is believed. Of
multiplying the provisions Of Section :
IF the article providing against The for
tificatiOn Of the canal. Other amend
ments were offered striking out Sec
tions , and Of Article > Senator Tel
Ter said that if Senator Elkins' amend
ment should be adopted he would not
press his amendment for the modifica-
ton Of Section :. 50 as 10 omit pro-
vision against the fertilization Of the
canal.
Senator Lodge. in charge Of the bill,
was not slow to recognize the futility
Of trying TO secure further Considera-
ton for the treaty as amended during
the days session, and as soon as the
amendments were all submitted ne
moved an adjournment until tomorrow,
which motion prevailed.
Previous TO taking the vote on the
committee amendments. Senator Elk
ms occupied the greater portion Of the
Senate's time with speech advocat
ing radical alteration of the treaty. He
announced himself as favora BILE to the
committee amendment. but said that
to his mind that amendment did not
20 far enough to meet the wishes OF
the American people.
After the Senate adjourned for the
day the Republican committee on or
der Of business held a session To de-
eide upon the future line Of action with
reference to the treaty as amended.
After this committee had concluded
its conference Senator Lodge, who was
with the committee, stated that the
senate would proceed with the treaty
and that he would continue his efforts
10 have ii ratified.