Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-09
The Division on Party Lines.

Inc D1V1S1Ou OH IdTly
The division of the Senate committee on
party lines caused considerable gossip
among senators as to whether that division
would be followed in the Senate when the
treaty is voted upon. No one felt author
ized to speak for the different parties, but
the opinion was expressed that If the re-
publicans should all stand for the treaty
it was doubtful If the democrats would feel
like taking the responsibility of defeating
it, as they could do by strict party vote.
LAS the Senate stands now there are fif-
ty-six republicans and thirty-one demo-
Gratis, with vacancies in Delaware, Mis-
souri, and Tennessee. 1t is expected also
that two republican senators. Burton and
Mitchell, will not vote and will not be
paired on this or any other matter coming
before the Senate. AS a two-thirds vote is
necessary to ratify the treaty it will require
fifty-eight votes to accomplish this end.
The republican leaders in the Senate still
lack assurance of the full support of their
party in the Senate, but on the other hand
have received intimations that a few votes
may be secured from the democratic side
of the chamber. The republican senators
who do not give their complete assent base
their opposition to the treaty largely upon
the ground that 1t may prove a precedent
in the future. They concede that the con-
ditions in Santo Domingo are peculiarly
exasperating, and agree that some relief
appears necessary, but on the other hand
they say that the step now contemplated
may be used in the future as justification
for similar move in a case in which the
demand is not so pressing.
To meet these objections 1t has been sug-
gested that resolution might be adopted
by the Senate at the same time that voc
Is taken upon the treaty which would set
forth conditions in Santo Domingo and de-
clare the opinion of the Senate that the
action in the present instance is intended
to stand alone and not to be used as
precedent.
A republican members of the committee
on foreign relations is the author or the
suggestion, but it has not yet taken def
mite shape. if indeed it ever does. The de-
sire is rather to secure such amendments to
the treaty itself as will make 1t acceptable
to two thirds of the Senate, thus rendering
the eXpedient of n special declaratio un-
necessary. Republicans say that there are
at least three democratic senators who indi-
cate a willingness to vote for the ratihca-
tion Of the treaty as 1t stands.
Misapprehensions Corrected.
The Secretary of State in conversation
this morning with representatives Of the
press said:
II should like, if possible, to set at rest
the confused, misleading and harmful re-
ports concerning the negotiation not only
of the Santo Domingo protocol now under
consideration by the Senate of the United
States but also the instrument signed at
Santo Domingo City on January 21 which
Is sometimes referred to as the Dillingham;
Sanchez agreement.
'Tt has been asserted, and persistently
repeated that the Department of State had
knowledge of the existence of the agree
ment Of January 21 prior to the announce
ment in the public press that such an in
strument had been signed at Santo Do
mingo City.
at has been further asserted that there
was an intention and purpose on the part
of the President and the Department of
State which looked to the hasty carrying
into effect of some important arrangement
with the Dominican government, without
duly submitting to the Senate for it's advice
and consent any instrument in the nature
of a treaty or protocol. Neither the PreSi-
dent nor any Of the officials of the State
Department ever had any such intention or
purpose. Nothing was known of the agree
ment of January q until it was learned,
through the medium of the public press,
that such an instrument had been signed
in Santo Domingo City 1t was then de-
cided that, many reports and rumors
concerning the agreement were reaching the
papers (some of which indicated that nego-
tiation for the annexation of the island
was proposed), 1t would be wise to make
statement concerning the matter to the
public to allay any apprehension concern
ing the purpose of the administration.
when this statement was made on jan
uary % only brief abstract of the ar
rangemenf which had been signed at Santo
Domingo City had Leen communicated Of
ficially to the department.
The Usual Course Of Procedure.
'"The broad facts were Indicated in the
interview, together with the probable atti-
tnde OF the administration toward the prop