The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-07
Committee on Foreign Affairs in Fa-
vor of Extending Time for Rat
ification Until the 24th Inst.
CAGES REPLY 70 A PROTEST
HE HAS NO POWER TO REPEAL
COUNTERyAILING DUTY ORDER.
Merely Followed the Mandate Of Con-
Petition from IIIinoisians.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March Sit now seems
probable that the special session Of the
Senate will not be continued beyond ten
days or two weeks. This is the consensus
of opinion at the Capital to-day. The Sen
ate has only three subjects with which to
while away its time. The first is the con-
hrmatiOn OF such nominations as 1T may
please President Mckinley TO send to them
for their consideration The second is the
discussion Of proposed amendment of the
rules governing the conduct of business of
the Senate to permit cloture of debate after
a reasonable period has been given both
sides TO discuss a given measure. This
proposition 10 amend the rules of the Sem
ate Is one which has been more or less dis
cused for ten years and an agreement Is
no more likely TO be reached at this special
session than on other occasions when 1t
has been under consideration. The third
subject and probably the most important
matter the Senate may conclude to discuss
is the Hay-Pauncefote treaty relative to
the right Of this government to fortify
the Nicaragua canal and other treaties re-
garding our reciprocal trade relations with
various European powers.
Supported by the declaration made by the
President In his inaugural address advo-
Gates OF the pending reciprocity treaties
will, 1t Is understood renew their efforts
TO induce the Senate to ratify them before
adjournment. Twelve reciprocity treaties are
pending. While action on all Is desired the
administration would be satisfied to have
the French reciprocity convention disposed
Of This is the wedge which, driven in
Europe. will, 1t is contended. cause other
European nations to be more considerate
OF American commerce. The opponents of
this treaty, led by Senators Lodge. of Mass
achusetts. and Perkins. of California, will
combat the ratification of these treaties.
1t is said the President and Secretary of
State Hay propose bringing strong pres
sure TO bear on the Senate TO obtain ac-
ton, and, in case of failure, to extend the
time for ratification of the treaty and re-
submit 1t TO the Senate at the next ses-
sion. The attitude of the President is best
shown by his inaugural declaration. He
says: Our diversified productions are in
creasing in such unprecedented volume as
TO admonish US of the necessity of still fur
ther enlarging our foreign markets by
broader commercial relations. For this pur-
pose reciprocical trade arrangements with
other nations should in liberal spirit be
careful cultivated and promoted" That the
President is determined not to abandon his
policy cf reciprocity is further shown by
his urgent request that John A. Kasson,
a special reciprocity commissioner, be re-
tained in office. Mr.. Kasson has contem-
plated resigning. in view OF the unwilling
ness OF the Senate to act upon the treaties
he had negotiated. He will comply with the
Presidents wishes He has received num-
erous appeals from agricultural machinery,
cotton-seed OIL food and cereal and other
interests urging that he use his influence
with the Senate to ratify the pending
treaties. These have been laid before the
Senate for its information.
The Senate committee on foreign rela-
tions to-day authorized a favorable re-
port on the supplemental treaty between
the United States and France extending
for one year the time within which the
reciprocity treaty between the two coun-
tries may be ratified. The original agree
ment fixed the time OF expiration at the
24th of March. 1900. and the Supplemental
treaty extends 1t until the 24th of the
present month. The original treaty was
reported more than a year ago. There was
some discussion in the committee as to
whether there should be an effort to have
the reciprocity treaties pending in the SEN
ate acted upon at the session. but no def
mite conclusion was reached The most
general opion seemed 10 favor considera-
tion OF the treaties TO which little obiec-
ton is made which are those with South
American and Central American republics
All of the reciprocity treaties Will expire
by limitation before the next session of
Congress.