New-York tribune., 1900-12-08
MAY DECIDE TREATY'S FATE
VOTE ON AMENDMENT TO BE TAKEN
NEXT THURSDAY.
MR.. TELLER PROPOSES TO STRIKE OUT THE
ANTI-FoRTIFIcATIoNC CLAUSE OF THE
HAY-PAUNCEFoTE CONVENTION.

Washington. Dec. THE developments in the
Senate in executive session to-day in connection
with the -Pauncefote Treaty were:
An agreement on the part of the Senate to
vote on the amendment offered by the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations. providing for the
policing of the canal, next Thursday at 3
o'clock.
An amendment offered by Senator Teller, strik-
ing out the treaty prohibition against the forti-
ication Of the Nicaragua Canal when con-
structed.
The conclusion of Senator Morgan's speech.
speech by Senator Teller In opposition to the
treaty.
The agreement for vote on the committee
amendment was secured soon after the execu-
tive session began. 1t was reached by unani-
nous consent. as the result of a request made
by Senator Lodge. Senator Lodge did not ask
to have a date fixed for vote on the treaty
itself believing that the fate of the measure will
be determined by the result of the vote on the
amendment.
Senator Morgan in his speech went over the
ground covered by him yesterday, saying he
desired simply to clear up some misapprehen-
sion concerning his position
SENATOR TELLER's AMENDMENT.
Senator Teller spoke for about two hours, Civ
ing notice of his amendment at the beginning Of
his address. The amendment suggested relates
to Section of Article II of the treaty. AS that
section stands it reads as follows:
No fortiications shall be erected commanding
the canal or the waters adjacent. The United
states shall be at liberty to maintain such MILL
tary police along the canal as may be necessary
TO protect it against lawlessness and disorder.
The Colorado Senator's amendment provides
for striking out the first sentence of this pro-
vision, and for verbal changes in the remaining
portion. making it read follows:
The United States shall be at liberty to main
tain such military forces along the canal as may
be necessary to protect it against lawlessness
and disorder.
Mr.. Teller contended that if the United States
desired to build the canal it should proceed to
do without trying to secure the consent of
Great Britain. He said that the opinion of Sec
retary Hay that the abrOgation of the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty was necessary as a preceding
performance after all was only the opinion of
one man, and he quoted from public documents
to show that former Secretaries OF State had
differed in their opinions in this respect. He
also asserted that in some instances there had
been breaches of the ClaytOn-Bulwer Treaty.
He quoted Secretary Evarts as saying that "the
guarantee of neutrality is thing while the
question is unsettled. and quite another when
the canal shall be opened to the interests. ambi-
ton and cupidity Of the commercial nations and
| is occupied by populations of foreign allegiance
and discordant habits" Secretary Blaine also
was quoted on the same point.
Replying 10 Senator Morgan, Senator Teller
expressed the opinion that Great Britain never
would permit her resentment of independent ac-
tion by the United States to lead her to begin
hostilities because her material interests ir
maintaining peace with this country are toe
great; but he argued that to ask England's as
sent to the construction Of the canal was to ad'
NIT that that country had a right to express its
dissent. That position, he said, never would be
accepted by the people of this country.
No business of Importance was transacted IN
open session. The Senate adjourned until Mon
day.