The Washington times., 1901-12-07
TREATY TO Be
RATIFIED SOON.
Favorable Action Expected
Before Holidays.
REPORTED FROM TIE Committee.
Unanimous Approval Given Mr..
Morgan and Mr.. Perkins to Gail
Up Their Measures for the
Waterways Construction.

BY the unanimous action Of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations yester-
day morning the new y-Pauneefote
Treaty was placed before the upper body
of Congress with the unqualified approval
OF eight of the most prominent members
who are regarded by the Senate as
steering committee on treaties and com
pacts. The favorable report authorized is
equivalent TO ratification.
The programme. as outlined By Senator
Frye, who acted as chairman of the meet
ing. provides for the presentation of the
treaty to the Senate on Monday at noon.
Once properly before the body the com
pact will be called up in executive session
some day before the recess, and will be
ratifeI In its present form without
dissenting vote. Both Republicans and
Democrats have agreed TO this, as TIE
construction OF an inter oceanic canal is
regarded as the most important matter
before the present Congress.
Harmonious Action Assured.
Only two Senator's are opposed to the
r-eaty in it's present form, and in the
interest of harmony, they have agreed not
to fight the compact, but TO vote for it.
They are Senators Mason, Illinois, and
Bacon, Georgia.
The former does not believe in the need
of any treaty, stating that the United
States is big enough to act without ask
ing leave from Great Britain or any other
nation. The latter believes that the treaty
should be amended before it is ratified,
but viii not offer any objections He pro-
roses to sound the Senate as to the ad-
visibility OF adding the old Davis amend
merit, which provides the United States
with the right to fortify and defend the
waterway in time of war between this
country and any other nation.
Those present at the meeting yesterday
were Senators Frye, CullOm, Lodge and
Clark, all Republicans, and Senators Ba-
con. Morgan and Money. Democrats. Sem
ator Daniel was the only absentee. There
was not dissenting vote when the terms
of the treaty had been considered for
more than two hours The result was
expected. as the Senate has agreed to rush
the matter through.
Preparing the Way.
It can now be said. for the first time.
that an inter-oceanic waterway is as
sured. In anticipation OF the passage Of
some bill on the subject new protocols
have been signed with Nicaragua and
Costa Rica, by which the two isthmian
Republics bind themselves to accept the
terms of the new Hay -Pauncefote Treaty.
1t is admitted that the treaty will be rat
lied within a month, and a bill for the
construction of the canal Will then be
taken up.
Here comes ;he only trouble anticipated
in the entire programme. Senator Nor
gan. to whose efforts the present situa-
ton and the progress made is largely due,
has introduced his old canal bill and pro-
poses making strong fight for its pas
sage to the exclusion of any and all other
bills As chairman OF the Committee on
Inter-Oeeanic Canals he has power TO
reject all other measures, and this he pro-
poses to do.
Senator PerLSins' Bill.
Senator Perkins of California. who
owns 3 number OF trans Pacific and
South American steamship lines. has also
introduced canal bill. which has the
backing OF many influential Republican
Senators. The Perkins bill calls for the
Nicaragua route and appropriates s12O,-
000. .OOG. 1t also proposes a commission,
20 the creation of which Mr. Morgan is
opposed. There will be merry war
over the measures, one OF which must
be passed.
Senator Morgan's bill is simply skele
ton, to be followed later by measure
in detail. When this is passed, giving
authority to proceed he viii produce an
elaborate measure providing for every
cut, lock, and curve in the waterway.