The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-10
AN AM ENDMENT TO
THE CANAL TREATY
Continued from First Page

provided that the civil rights and political
status of the native inhabitants of the
islands acquired by the United States
from Spain shall be fixed by Congress, the
Congress had authority to deal with Porto
Rico and the Philippines as it saw fit
giving free trade to the one and levying
a tariff on the products of the other. He
held that action by the United States
as to Porto Rico did not bind it to act
similarly as to the Philippines. He OPP
posed, too the dogma that the Constitu-
tion extended ex proprio vigore over the
territory acquired by this Government.
Mr.. Allison Qowa), reported from the
Committee on Appropriations the House
bill making appropriations of custom
dues exacted from the Island of Porto
Rico, from October 18th, 1898, to January
list, 1900, amounting to $2,O95, 455 and
gave notice that he would call up the
measure tomorrow.
Mr. Mason called up his motion en-
tered yesterday, to discharge the Foreign
Relations committee from further consid-
GRAFTON of his resolution expressing the
sympathy of the Senate with the Beers
in their heroic struggle with Great Prit-
ain
The motion was laid before the Senate.
Mr.. Davis, Chairman of the Committee
on Foreign Relations moved that The
doors be closed, and the Senate at - 20
p. M. went into executive session.
IN SECRET SESSION.
In the secret session the discussion
was mainly as to whether discussion OF
the Mason motion should be in opon or
secret session. Chairman Davis, of me
Foreign Relations committee, said that
the public discussion of the subject ID
the Senate might result in disturbing cX-
listing relations between the United
States and friendly power.
Mr.. Mason suggested that the resold-
tions of sympathy for the Arna ii is and
the Cubans had day after day been dis-
cussed in open session and that , one
thought it necessary at hat lime . lose
the doors.
Mr.. Lodge said that the taking of the
resolution out of the hands of the COM
mittee was unprecedented and discour-
tesy.
Mr. Hoar said he was in favor of pass
ing a resolution asking the President to
offer his good offices in an attempt at
mediation and the Mason resolution would
estop such action.
stitute for the Mason resolution:
THAT the President be 'equeStod TO
offer the mediation and kindly offices OF
the United States Government to put an
end to the war in South Africa and Sc
cure peace between Great Britain and the
Dutch Republics on terms honorable to
both parties to the conflict"
Mr.. Lodge made the point of order that
a substitute resolution could lot be fer
ed to the resolution now in ommittea,
and the point was sustained
Mr.. Hale made d speech in 'aeor Of tbs
Beers. He added that he was in favor
of the Mason Resolution, but that it was
useless to try and get an expression of
sympathy from the Senate.
Mr.. Mason said if there was no secret
alliance let us carry out our usual habit
in such cases. We always have passed
resolutions of sympathy with struggling
republics, continued Mr.. Mason, and we
should do so now.
Mr.. Spooner responded that England
had been our friend in the Spanish war,
and we should do nothing to interrupt
those friendly relations.
This brought Mr. Hoar to his feet. He
said that a great question OF right and
wrong was involved, and it should be
settled regardless of the questions of
friendship, whether it was of Spain, Eng
land or the Gar of Russia
1t is understood that the motion will
be debated again next week.
OPEN SESSION RESUMED.
When the doors were thrown open Mr..
Lindsay (Ky) spoke. He stamped as
singularly unfortunate the selection of
Porto Rico as the subject for establish
ing the principle that our recent Spanish
territorial acquisitions are not per Sc
integral portions of the United States
Porto Rico, he pointed out as essentially
an American country, against which there
is no reason to preclude its admission as
a State at some future time. This was
not true with regard to the Philippines
or Hawaii. This, he declared, is ma
ion of American States and must so re-
main to the end. He condemned both