The Washington times., 1901-12-12
CANAL TREATY
READY TO PASS.
Possibility That Final Vote
May Be Taken Today.
MR., CULLOM'S SPEECH IN APPROVAL
Dissatisfaction Expressed BY Ba-
con and Culberson-A Safe Ma
jority Assured The Days Work
in the Senate.

Senator Cullom OF Illinois. who is to be
the successor OF the late Senator Davis
of Minnesota as chairman of the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations, created a prece-
dent in the executive session of the Sen
ate yesterday by reading a prepared type
written speech in support of the pending
HayPauncefote canal treaty Executive
session speeches have always heretofore
been extemporaneous. for the one very
good reason, If for no other they are not
recorded. Senator Cullom's effort. there
fore. will never see the light of day unless
the Senate should remove the injunction
of secrecy on it, and as this would be Gre
ating another precedent. the Senate. being
body which much prefers TO break
rather than make precedents, is not likely
TO do it.
Approved by Mr.. CuIIom.
Mr.. Cullom endorsed the treaty through
out IL is just exactly the treaty that
the Senate had been clamoring for. he
said. and places ihe ownership and con-
troll of the canal entirely in the hands of
the United States Government.
England is not a party to the bargain.
SO far as the control Of the canal Is con-
cerned. Mr.. Cullom said, and he added
that he would be for the treaty. even If il
were less open to criticism than it is. be-
cause of the oyerpoworing Importance OF
pa, ng the way for the construction of
the canal He said there was no force
whatever in the criticisms Of the new pro-
vision ARTICLE w, that no change of
territorial sovereignty shall affect the
general principle OF naturalization or the
obligation OF the contracting parties to
the treaty. because the United States
would stand good for its bargain under
whatever changed conditions might de-
velop in the future.
MIR. Bacon's objections.
Senator Bacon, one Of the two Demo-
cratic members of the Foreign Relations
Committee. who voted against reporting
the treaty. made long speech, express
ing general dissatisfaction with the terms
of the treaty which, he said were no
better and should be no more acceptable
TO the Senate than those of the rejected
convention. MIR. Bacon has made some
talk of offering the so-called Davis
amendment with regard to the specific
powers OF the United States to fortify the
canal, but has finally decided not TO do
this, and viii not make any further effort
TO amend or defeat the treaty
May Take the Vote TODAY.
Senator Lodge, in charge of the treaty.
was told yesterday by Senator Jones the
leader of the Democratic minority. that
he saw no reason why vote should not
be taken today, and fl is possible that
this may be done. This is not certain.
however, for there are few Senator's In
cluding Mr.. Tillman Of South Carolina.
who are not entirely satisfied with the
treaty and rather think it is their duty
TO stir up a row about it, Senator Money
OF mississippi, member of the FOREIGN
Relations Committee, will make a speech
today in opposition. So far as is known
no other Senator desires TO speak. so that
vote may possibly be taken Immediately
thereafter.
The Democrats who are most out
spoken In their opposition to the treaty
are Bacon. Money, Culberson and Till
man. The first two, however, Will prob
ably not vote at all, as they are so anx-
ious. they say, to have a canal built that
they dislike TO go On record as putting
even the slightest obstacle in Its way
How the Senate stands.
The Republican Senators will probably
ali vote for ratification. and it is likely
that their votes, added to those Of The
Democrats who will follow the lead OF
'lVhdADI MuIEdI OF ALABAMA and support
the treaty. viii bring the total affirmative :
vote 70 upward of sixty. which is. of 4
course, more than a sufficient two-thirds
OF eighty eight. the total membership Of .
the Senate at present. The opposition |
vote is not likely to number more than
twenty.
Mr. Culberson, in voicing his opposI- |
ton. raises the point that the new treaty |
retains IN spirit at least section Of the |
Clayton Duiwer Treaty. which makes |
Great Britain a partner OF the United |
States In the control OF the canal
The reply Of Senator Lodge, in charge |
Of the treaty. is that Mr.. Culberson is en- 4
tireiy mistaken and that if he is right. he
tAr. Lodge would vote against the treaty
himself, as he is Just as much opposed to |
taking England into partnership with the
United States as Mr.. Culberson or any
other Senator possibly can be.
Several Bills introduced.
Senator Burrows introduced a bin sub
the last Thursday in April for
the fourth day OF March as Inauguration
Day.
Senator Mason introduced a bill fixing
eight hours as a days labor for post
Office employees.
Senator Pritchard introduced a bill pro-
viding for the appointment OF three As
sistant Patent Commissioners at an an
nual salary CT 5000 each. the term Of SER
vice being Fixed al six years.
Am v-nnrTrE