Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-02-13
From Washington.

Before President Roosevelt LETT fol
New York this morning he instructed
Secretary Hay to pigeonhole the arbi-
tration treaties which were amended by
the Senate on Saturday over his pro-
test and despite his threat, made In his
letter to Senator Cullom, that il they
were altered he would allow them to
die. Mr.. Hay this morning in reply to
numerous inquiries by representatives
of the press at the State Department
made in substance the following state
ment: "The President regards the
matter of the general arbitration treaties
SIS concluded by the action of the
Senate on Saturday. He recognizes the
right of the Senate to reject treaty
either by direct vote in that sense, or
indirectly by changes which are incom-
patible with its spirit and purpose. He
considers that with the Senate amend
ment the treaties not only cease to be a
step forward in the cause Of general
arbitration, but are really step back
ward, and therefore he is unable to put
them in this altered form to the countries
with which we have been in negotiation. "
While the almost unanimous verdict OF
the Senate on Saturday in opposition to
the Presidents ideas would not have been
50 pointed had it n It followed so quickly
upon the receipt of the Presidents letter,
while it is probably true that resentment
of that letter had some effect on the vote,
yet it is equally certain that the final
would not have been very different. 1t
would be too much to say that there is
open war between the President and the
Senate. 1t has not quite reached that
stage vet, but it would be idle for any
one to try to conceal the fact that tho
Senate is afraidto trust the President too
far in matters affecting international re-
lations. 1t has decided to put curb on
him and to closely scrutinize every dip
Iomatic move of his with jealous eye for
the constitutional preTogatives OF the
Senate. 1t was the San Domingo ar
gument that first sounded the note of
alarm. That document proposed to COM
nit the United States to practical suze
raiuty of a foreign country guarantee
ing its territorial integrity and admins
trating its finances for thesettlement ofits
foreign debt. That argument, with its
vast possibilities of future trouble for the
United States, was negotiated and signed
without consultation with the Senate.
Gunb0ats were sent to San Domingo to
help enforce the argument aud definite
date was fixed when the United States
shonld take under its control the custom
houses of the country. Streng protests
from the Senate alone caused halt in
these proceedings. A new argument
has been prepared with San Domingo
which provides Tor its ratification by the
Senate before becoming operative. 1t
may be sent to the Senate this week.
Under ordinary circumstances the de-
bate ON it would last many days. Prompt
action is however, expected. The Sen
ate fears that, left to himself after
Congress adjourns, the President will
issue an executive order putting the
Dan Domingo argument into effect
until the next meeting of Congress.
The Senate will probably put prompt
veto on such action by giving the
San Domingo treaty early consideration
aud by rejecting it by decisive vote.
There is no doubt that the feeling aroused
in the Senate over the San Domingo
affair had much to do with the vote on
he arbitration treaties. 1t probably
mad something to do also with the action
IF the Senate on the Hay-Bond treaty,
which the President had hoped would |
,e ratified and would prove an opening
wedge for eventual reciprocity with Can
ida. The Senate proceeded to amend it so
hat its friends would not accept it with |
he result that the Hay Bond treaty also is !
lead. Altogether, while there is no
Ictual warfare on, the President has not
,een happy in his dealings with the Sem
tie Oh executive matters. He is not |
likely to 5e any, more so in his desire
or railroad rate legislation at this ses-
ion.
President Roosevelt, accompanied by |
lrs. Roosevelt, Secretary and Mrs. Taft,
ars. Cowles, Mr.. and Mrs. E. Roosevelt,
oft for New York at ten O'Clock. Ar
living about three o'clock, the President
Gill be escorted to the New York Re-
ublican Club where be will meet the
1embers Of the organization and remain
ntiI time for the clubs Lincoln Day
anquet at the Waldorf Astoria this
vening. At this banquet he will make
n address that will attract probably
nore general discussion than any he has
elivered since he became President. 1t
ill take up and treat subject Of vital
interest tn the nation thath he has hereto
pre- merely touched upon. After the
ddress he will attend the Press Club
anquet at the New Hotel Aston. To-
lorrow evening he will be the guest of
onor at dinRer to be given by the
a ~ al I