New-York tribune., 1903-03-11
THE TREATIES MENACED.
OPPOSED BY DENOCRATS.
Under Gorman's Lead They Plot
Defeat of Both Conventions.
TRY TELEGRAPH TO THE rErsrxE.

tBY TELEGRAPH TRT5CNEI
Washington March 10-The success Of both
the Panama ard Cuban treaties is threatened by
the Democrats. Startled at the news Of an
agreement with Senator Morgan. to he followed
by the ratification Of the two conventions so
earnestly advoca ted by the administration. six
teen Democratic Senator's. led by Senator Cor
man. held an Informal conference after the al
journment of the Senate this afternoon. and
considered ways and means Of placing obstr1lc-
tfons in the path OF the treaties While no posi-
tive action could bt taken because OF the IN
formaIity Of the meeting. progra mme was
tentatively agreed upon, and will be submitted
to all the Democratic Senator's. either indtvidu-
ally or moro probably in caucus and the lead
ers believe IL will be adopted
Two amendments to the Colombian treaty are
contemplated The first is to provide that the
United States shall acquire absolute control ana
virtual sovereignty over the zone OF land
. through which the canal will pass. and the sec
ond is to consist Of the elimination OF Article "
of the treaty which pledges tire United states
not to increase its territory at the expense OF
Colombia or any other South American Repub-
lie. The latter amendment is believed 10 oe IN
accord with Senator Morgan's purpose IN ob-
tanning leave to print in The Congressional
Record" his ten speeches against the convention.
the creation. that is. OF a spirit Of resentment
and antagonism in Colombia which will render
comes before the Congress at Bogota-
AS it is appreciated that only four Democratic
in addition to the Republican votes would suf-
fee TO ratify the Panama treaty. an effort will
be made TO secure the support of the entire
Democratic strength for the above programme.
and. if further Investigations warrant the hope
of success, a caucus will be called with view
to binding every Democrat by party pledge.
ATTACK ON THE CUBAN TREATY.
The Cuban treaty was also discussed at this
afternoons conference and it was suggested
that the most effective and insidious form OF
opposition would be the advocacy OF an amend
ment providing that it should become operative
only after the passage by Congress OF en-
abling act. This amendment it was argued
could be urged on purely constitutional grounds
and IL accepted by the Republicans would throw
the entire fight over until next December. thus
affording the enemies OF the agreement an op-
portunity TO debate it at length again. and
would probably so xasperate and disgust the
Cuban Congress as to accomplish the rejection
of the treaty in Havana
The Democrats who attended to-day's confer
ence were Senator's German. Carmack. Stone.
Clay Martin. Bate. Simmons CockreH. Nc
Creary, Clark. of Montana: Teller Bacon, NAL
lory. Newlands. Pettus and Money. Great
creCy was preserved both the calling Of
the conference and the result of the proceedings.
and those Senators who attended said afterward
that resolutions had been adopted and no
vote taken. II desired to secure a unani-
nous agreement among the Democrats before
the programme became known
Leading Republicans took the hopeful view
expressed in The Tribune this morning when
the Senate convened at noon. but later in the
day il became known that the Democrats were
plotting against the treaties and the RepubIi-
cans became less saneuine- 1t was conceded
that If only Senator Morgan had to be dealt
with the Panama treaty could be ratified on
6 turday and the Cuban treaty some time next
week. but the partisan opposition of the Demo-
Gratis presented a new phase OF the sltuatlon
EfORGAN's SPEECHES MIGHT MAKE
TROUBLE.
As soon as the Senate went into executive
session Mr.. Morgan presented his ten printed
speeches and a Cursory examination revealed
the fact that they were calculated to make
trouble with Colombia Some Senator's sam
they would if printed in The Record" prove
sufficient to rupture the pleasant relations now
evistfng with the South American republic
An effort will be made 20 secure some modifra-
tfon of Mr. Morgan's most obnoxious state
rnents but II is feared. with doubtful results
If n q speeches are so printed leave will also
= granted to some Republican. presumably
Senator CulIom to print at the same uhe d
rafutatfon of Mr.. Morgans charges Inc
aninus of many of these charges IS Salu 10 De
due 70 the fact that Colombia IS Cathohc
country has executed concordat WIN the
1-a,fcan a d maintains cordial relations with
leo Kill Senator Morgan insisted on tne
++..b1nant of the SpOOner act TO the treaty
anG senator uOar denied the necessity OF ooli!s
So but il was finally UNANIMOUSLY sS, asLSs,t ~ -, g.,
tach the bill to the convention pCC AoS q a.
roap6rr ont MIR. Morgan then READ 70 lhe sen
ate one of his ten speecheS d-lU
was taken