Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-04
LITTLE HOPEFOR THEM
Poor Prospect for the Arbi-
tration Treaties.
SOUTHERNERS OPPOSED
INAUGURATION OF CHINA's PAT
EMIT SYSTEM DELAYED.
Army Officers Holding Civilian Posi-
lions in Philippines-Trying to Sell
Warships to Japan and Russia.
BY VIM. L. CURTIS.

Written for The Evening Star and the Chicago
Record Herald
There seems to be very little hope of the
ratification of the treaties OF arbitration
recently negotiated by Secretary Hay with
England. France. Germany. Italy, Spain
and several other countries. 1t is Almost
Incredible but the charge that the Presi-
dent. Secretary Hay, ex-Presdent Cleve-
land, Andrew Carnegie. John w. Foster
President Angel of Ann Arbor and other
eminent gentlemen are engaged in con-
spiracy with New York spectators to re-
vive the value Of the repudiated bonds of
southern states has actually affected the
minds of several southern senator's. They
disclaim belief in the truth of this extra
ordinary accusation. but explain that 1t has
been widely circulated and discussed in the
newspa pers of the south, and. although not
accepted as true has aroused public ap-
prehension to such an extent that they do
not consider it wise to ratify the treaties
unless they amended to make ii
impossible for the financial obligations of
any state of the Union to be submitted to
the jurisdiction of an international tribunal.
Several southern senators assert that they
have information from confidential sources
concerning active movement in the re-
pudiated bonds during the last six months
for which they can ascribe no other reason
than the hope that the ratification of the
arbitration treaties may Salvaiize them
into life again. These senators are consid-
crate enough to acquit the President and
Secretary Hay of any active interest in the
conspiracy, but fear that they have been
made the tools of influential financial syn
dicates which have been gathering up these
bonds.
Views OF the Opposition
Mr.. Foster of Louisiana, the only senator
who has publicly assigned this as a reason
70 +bo h,S no.
WINGED of his mistake, and. with equal pub
lcity. has announced his intention to vote
for ratification. He is one of the few south
ern men who is willing to do SO. Senator
Bacon Of Georgia is leading the opposition,
and has frankly announced his intention to
do every thing in his power to prevent rati-
fication, unless the treaties amended as
indicated above Senator McCreary of Ken
lucky stands with Mr.. Bacon Senator
Bailey is uncompromsing in his opposition.
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama pooh-poohs the re-
pudiated bond idea, but asserts that it Is
unwise for the government of the United
States to blndfold itself and trust it's inter-
ests to unknown tribunals. He considers 1t
a sacrifice of national dignity, and a sur
render of national independence. Mr.. Teller
is most active of all the northern senators
in his opposition to the treaties, and he will
not support them, no matter how much they
are amended He agrees with Mr. Morgan
that they should be fully discussed and
that there is no time at the present session
to give them the attention they demand
Hence both of these senators and some
others will insist that all of the arbitration
treaties go over until the next session.
whether they are amended or not
The President has written two or three
earnest letters to senators, explaining the
reasons why the treaties should be ratified
as they read, and endeavoring to convince
them that the unpaid financial obligations
of the southern states cannot be made sub
jects of International controversy. But he
has convinced no one. He has not yet con-
sented to the amendment of the treaties, al
though 1t is quite possible that he might de
so if such a concession would secure their
prompt ratification.