Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-09
THE BATTLE OPENED
Panama Canal Treaty Re-
ported to Senate.
ONE VOTE IN NEGATIVE
DECIDED TO HAVE ONLY ONE DIS
CUSSION.
Mr.. Morgan's Remarks All to Be Made
in Executive Session-Action of
the Committee.
ONE VOTE IN NEGATIVE

The battle over the treaty with ColoHloid
regarding the Panama canal was begun
In the Senate today. 1t was opened with
report from the committee on foreign re-
lations which recommended the ratification
of the treaty as it has been negotiated be-
tween the State Department and the Co.
lombian government. Senator Cullom
chairman of the committee on foreign rela-
tions. made the report and Immediately the
Senate went into executive session few
minutes after II o'clock.
Reported by Committee
The committee on foreign relations met
this morning. The canal treaty subject was
taken up for consideration. 1t was briefly
discussed and Senator Morgan indicated
his readiness to proceed with a discussion
of it's provisions. The committee took the
view that as Mr.. Morgan's remarks would
be reported in the Senate when the treaty
should be reported it would be a saving OF
time to report it at once so that single
discussion would answer all purposes. Mr..
Morgan preferred going on with his re-
marks, showing reasons for the amend
ments to the treaty he has proposed, but
vote was called for and the committee de-
cided to report the treaty at once The only
vote in the negative was that of Senator
Morgan.
Short Session of Senate.
Inc SENATE was III SeSSioli ohiy ioAA6
enough to hear the reading of the journal
and to allow the swearing in of Senators
Stone of Missouri James P. Clarke of Ar
kansas and Gallinger of New Hampshire.
Mr. Stone was escorted to the desk by Mr.
Cockrell and Mr.. Gallinger by Mr.. Lodge.
Mr.. Clarke walked to the desk unaccom-
panied.
When the Senate met letter was read
from President Pro Tempore Frye appoint
ing kpan On ~ presiding officer In
his absence.
There being no legislative business to
transact the Senate, at 1905, on motion of
Mr.. Cullom (Il), went into executive ses-
sion.
The treaty was Immediately reported and
read. At the conclusion of the reading OF
the treaty Mr.. Morgan made point OF
order that under the rules the treaty would
have to go over one day before being con-
sidered Upon this point being made
motion for adjournment followed, and the
Senate, at Ills, adjourned until tomorrow
at IL o'clock.
The Democratic Attitude.
An interesting phase of the discussion of
the canal treaty in the Senate is the fact
that although the democrats have had a
caucus and their steering committee has
met under the leadership of Senator Cor
man. there is today no democratic plan in
relation to the treaty. 1t is general belief
that the democratic party will stand in
lation to that matter exactly 1t stood in
the last Congress. Mr.. Morgan will have
about the same support that he had In the
last Congress. He is practically alone.
When it comes to voting, however, there
probably eight or ten democrats who
will vote for Mr.. Morgans amended treaty,
which will come before the Senate as sub
stitute for the treaty submitted by the ad-
ministration. These senators will not,
however. take part in any discussion which
tends to prolong the session of the Senate.
Spanish Copy Sent For.
After the reading of the treaty today
Senator Morgan stated that he desired to
have the Spanish copy of the treaty so
to compare it with the English text. The
State Department was notified of this
quest, and 1t is expected that a draft Of
the treaty in Spanish will be sent to the
Senate tomorrow.
Members of the committee foreign re-
lations express the opinion that there will
not be any great delay in the ratification
of the treaty. although no understanding
has been reached with Senator Morgan on
the subject In the committee today Mr..
Morgan made no opposition to reporting
the treaty. Senator Clark of Montana,
who succeeded Senator Bailey as a member
of the committee, was present at today's
meeting.