Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-17
REFUSE TO ALTER TREATY
Senators Vote Down All Amendments to
Canal Protocol
SIX SOLID HOURS SPENT IN WORK
chief Debate Centers Round Right of
America TO Defend waterway, but
Colombian Powers Are Not
I~nfrinHed.

lOVdy YOUNG On amendments " Tue uudhld
canal treaty.
The greater part Of the debate centered
round the American defense OF the canal,
the democrats contendiug that the United
States should be given the initiative in
that respect, and the republicans urging
that the interests Of the country are suf-
fciently safeguarded by the treaty as 1t
stands.
A substitute for the provision placing
the defense Of the canal primarily in the
hands OF Colombia resulted in a test vote
and the democrats cast a solid vote in sup
port Of the amendment, the republicans
voting as solidly against it. The vote was
"a for to As against.
During the day Senator Morgan offered
a number of his amendments, but none Of
them received more than ten or twelve
votes. The treaty will be ratified tomor-
row by a large majority and without amend
ment, as on the final ballot many of the
democrats will vote for 1t.
Before the executive session commenced
Levi Ankeny OF Washington was escorted
to the desk by Mr.. Foster, his colleague,
and sworn in. No legislative business Of
any kind was transacted.
Both Parties Fully Represented.
Immediately after the doors had been
ClOStu Tue OIuNI lUT 90 lub presentation OI
amendments went into effect. There was
quite a large attendance of senators, both
political parties having used every effort
to secure full representation so as to make
the best showing In case of a division on
party lines. Consequently the roll calls OF
the day were well responded to and the
vote cast was larger than expected.
The first vote was taken about forty
minutes after the doors were closed, COM
ing on an amendment suggested by Senator
Pettus, providing that the treaty should
not go into effect until approved by con-
gress. This amendment was voted down by
a large majority, all the republicans and
some of the democrats recording themselves
against 1t.
The amendment was in the language Of
the one recommended by the committee on
foreign relations to be added to the, Cuban
reciprocity treaty. In offering it Mr.. Pet
tus claimed that the provisions of the
treaty for the acquisition of the canal zone
do not correspond with the provisions Of
the law under which the treaty was made.
In the law the provision is for the owner
ship Of the zone, while the treaty pro-
vides for a lease to be renewed perpetually.
He commended that under the circumstance
the treaty was without authority and there
fore not binding without further legisla-
tion. The vote resulted so for, 50 against.
Following this Senator Morgan offered a
number OF amendments, of which he had
given notice, but they were passed upon
adversely and without roll calls. One OF
these vas a declaration that nothing con-
tanned In the treaty should be construed
as invalidating the Spooner act. Another
provided for the submission of the treaty
to the French government as a party inter-
ested. rsd o.
His other amendments provided for the
reversion of the railroad lands outside Of
the zone to Colombia sand confirmed Co
lombia's reservation Of shares In the new
Panama Canal company in accordance with
the contract of 1880. ir.s u
At one time the senate presented a some
what vacant appearance, which caused Mr..
Morgan to make the point of no quorum,
with the result that a large number OF
senators were called into the chamber.
Sixty-nine nswered to their names and
business proceeded.
The secoSd roll call Of the day was on an
amendment offered by Senator Morgan, pro-
viding for the acquisition of the canal
zone in perpetuity and not by lease to be
renewed after ninety-nine years. It was
voted down.
Discuss Question of Defense.
The senate then took up Senator Bacon's
amendment for absolute control by the
United States, and Mr.. Bacon addressed the
senate in support OF iS.
He was followed by other democratic SEN
ators, all favoring the Bacon amendment.
The democrats expressed the opinion that
before its completion the canal will cost
not less than $500, 900, 600, and declared that
so vast a sum should not be spent without
providing for the absolute and uncondi-
tional right to police, control and defend
the canal.
They contended that while both political
parties had adopted declarations favorable
TO an sthmian canal, every declaration
had had coupled with it the condition that
the canal should be under American cou-
troll.
The republican senators warmly defended
the treaty as It stands, contending that 1t
affords ample protection TO American in
terests. With a canal built by the United
States and under its control, they said,
Colombia would be compelled to defend 1t,
but IL that country should find itself in
capable OF performing the task, then, under
the terms of the treaty, 1t would be COM
PEELED to call on the United States for as
sistance.
Moreover, in case of emergency, the
United States could go to the defense OF
the canal without a calf from Colombia.
This provision, IL was asserted, furnished
all the guarantees Of American protection
that could be reasonable demanded. They
claimed that there could be no excuse for
going into the canal zone with American
troops except in case OF emergency.
During the discussion some Of the Dem
ocratic senators called attention to the In
stability of the South and Central Ameri-
can republics and urged that on this ac-
count it would be necessary for the United
States to be constantly on the spot with
its means of protection. The republicans
replied that the people of an parties In
the South aud Central American countries
have such great respect for the United
States as to insure the protection OF its
property, whatever the party in power.
The Bacon amendment was lost, 46 to "a
a strict party vote.
Senator Teller thtreppon offered an
amendment retaining the language OF arti'
Gle 23 as It stands, except the words witt
the consent OF Colombia," in the provisions
permitting the intervention OF the United
States in case Colomhia should prove un'
equal to the task OF defending the canal