The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-18
Not One Change Made I'm Document,
Either by the Committee or I'm
Executive Session.
SENATE MAY ADJOURN TO-DAY
WILL BEGIN WORK ON THE CUBAN
TREATY THIS MORNING,
And May Conclude Confederation To-
Night-NOrth to Succeed Merriam
as Census Director.

WASHINGTON, March 17.-Without dot
ting an 'f' or crossing st." even without
changing a single punctuation mark, the
Senate to-day voted to ratify the treaty
with the Republic of Colombia for the con-
struction of an isthmian canal. The vote
for ratification was 70 in the affirmative to
5 in the negative. The Senate was in ex-
ecutive session when the result was an
nounced, so that only the senators them
selves and few confidential employees
were present. All the senators announced
themselves as gratifed to have the long
struggle terminated but none of them man.
ifested their appreciation by cheers or
handclapping. On the contrary. all of them
seemed more concerned about getting away
from the chamber than anything else, so
that by the time the Senate could adjourn,
which it did almost Immediately after the
result was announced, most of the senators
had left their seats and some of them had
donned their hats and overcoats.
The day was given up almost entirely to
general debate on the treaty. and, in addi-
tion to the set speeches made under the
general agreement by Senators Morgan and
Cullom, there were many short addresses
and rather long speech by Senator Daniel,
of Virginia. The only party vote of the
day was taken on the substitute for Article
T. which agreed upon by the Demo-
cratic caucus and had reference to the ac-
QUESTION of territory in Central and South
America by the United States. There was
a number of speeches on this amendment,
but it was voted down by an almost two
thirds majority. the ballot footing up 81
yeas to "a noes. When the Senate ad-
journed at o'clock there was a general
belief that the business of the session might
be completed in time to permit final ad-
journment tomorrow. Some. however
placed the date twenty-four hours later.
HISTORY OF THE TREATY.
The Cuban treaty was signed at Washing
ton Jan. %. 1t was negotiated by Secre-
tary Hay on the part of the United States
and Thomas Herran, charge d'affaires, on
the part of Colombia, who signed the docu-
ment. On Jan. % ii sent to the Presi-
dent, and by him sent to the Senate on the
same date. Ii was referred to the commit
tee on foreign relations on the same day
and reported back on Feb. g. The treaty
was discussed at some length during the
last Congress. On March 5, the day the
special session of the Senate convened the
treaty was again referred to the committee
on foreign relations, and on March 3 was
again reported to the Senate, since which
time ii has been under discussion. Neither
in committee nor by the Senate was the
treaty amended, and it ratified as first
negotiated.
The proceedings to-day opened with a
speech by Senator Morgan. devoted es-
pecially to the question of the defense Of
the canal. He criticised sharply the action
of the Senate in refusing yesterday TO so
amend the treaty as to insure American
control.
When Mr.. Morgan concluded Senator
Money offered a substitute for the fourth
article of the treaty, which disavows any
| intention on the part of the United States
| 10 Increase its territory at the expense of
south or Central America. The substitute
| offered by Senator Money agreed on
by the Democratic caucus, and. without
mentioning South or Central America, ii
/ reiterates the American doctrine of nom
1 interference with the affairs of all the
| American republics. with the view OF re-
| assuring Mexico on that point. and pledges
| this country TO attempt no acquisition OF
Colombian territory. This is one Of the