The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-15
WILL BE NO
 RATIFICATION Party Lines Drawn on the Dominican Treaty. REPUBLICANS LACK VOTES Action May Be Delayed Pend
 ing Investigation. Democratic Criticism of the Adminis- tration Draws Reply From
 spooner-Morgan Dis-
 cusses Debt.

Washington, March 14.-The discus- sion of the Dominican treaty in ex- ecutive session of the Senate today re- suited in the drawing of party lines. The Democrats who have been re- ported as likely to support the treaty will return to the fold, 1t Is said, and on both sides of the chamber 1t Is ad- | mitted there Is little prospect that the convention will be ratified. The Re- publicans have been depending on some Democratic support and have counted as certain the votes of Senators McEnery and Foster of Louisiana and Clarke of Arkansas.
 Senator German. the minority leader, gave notice today that these Senators are now pledged against the treaty, and it was stated that Senator McEn- cry tomorrow will recall his telegram him for the convention. It Is not ex- pected that either he or Senator Clark will return to Washington to vote. Senator Foster will remain in Wash ington and vote with his party. The Republicans had planned to re- call their absentees, but 1t was report ed tonight that even with the full Re- publican strength here the necessary two-thirds for ratification could not
 
 the Democratic votes. The depletion of the Republican ranks by reason of the vacancies in Missouri and Dela- ware. the absence of Senator LaFol- lette, who has not taken the oath of of- flee. and of Senators Aldrich and Knox is felt greatly by the Republicans, who are striking for favorable action on the treaty
 Not Enough Votes.
 A the GanafQ baa Aa- veloped the necessary two-thirds af- firmative votes. even counting all Re- publicans as present or as represented. If the statement of the Democrats that there will be no division in their party proves correct, or if the two Louisiana Senators and Clarke of Arkansas should vote against 1t there Is no .chanca for ratification of the. treaty. Because Of the doubt of ratification. which was talked seriously today for the first time, the suggestion was made that action should be postponed until after an investigation has been made of all the conditions in San Domingo, including the character of the claims and the stability of the Dominican Government and the force that would be required to keep 1t In tact. This proposition came from the Democrats and credit for originating 1t has been given to Senator German. It has not met with favor, largely because of the indifference as to the fate of the treaty which was expressed by number of Republican Senators. So far as the propriety of the Senate making an in- vestigation is concerned 1t was said that such steps would be unprecedent- ed and that an inquiry, if one is to be had, should be made through the President. It Is understood that the subject of appointing a commission to make the inquiry has not been present. ed to the President, and 1t seems as- sured that there will be no postpone ment of the vote unless such action meets the approval of the President, which is not deemed likely.
 A Partisan Bias.
 The affirmative and negative on the treaty took on a decided partisan bias today. Senators Teller, Morgan and other Democrats opposed the treaty and criticised the administration se- verely The first speech today was made by Senator Teller, who asserted that the administration could not be blameless' in permitting Commander Dillingham; to exercise so much au- thority. Fault was found particularly with Commander Dillingham; for his action in taking control of the port of Monte Crista Into this discussion there was injected many pointed ques- tions, In which practically all of the Democrats participated.
 So harsh was the criticism of the administration that Senator Spooner devoted nearly half an hour to a gem eral defense of the course of the De- the department responsibility for great part of the procedure of the naval officer. Foraker and Cullom fol- lowed along the same lines.
 Senator Bacon started to address the Senate at o'clock. but had proceeded a few minutes when he was seized with a severe attack of gastritis and was unable to go on. Senator Gallinger, who is a physician. prescribed for the ailing Senator, who was himself in a few moments, but had his carriage called immediately and went home. The Senate then adjourned. Under an or der made yesterday 1t had been plan ned to have the daily sessions begin at 1 a. m. in order to reach an agreement and adjourn this week. but the hour of converting today was changed back to 12 o'clock
 Plea for Open Session.
 When the Santo Domingo treaty was taken up in executive session of the Senate today. Senator Teller again made a plea for an open session for the discussion of law points, which, he said. were involved in the treaty. Tho Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was complimented by Senator Teller for the efforts 1t had made to satisfac- torily amend the treaty, and he de- clared that the convention, with per- haps one or two additional amend ments, had been put in the best possi- ble condition. but" he said. Tt Is im- possible to amend the treaty so that 1t will satisfy me. I am opposed to it for fundamental and basic reasons"
 He declared that the policy to be em- parked upon under the treaty was con- trary to our form of government and a dangerous precedent to establish.
 Objection was made by Senator For aker to open the doors.
 After this question has been disposed of for the second time. Senator Morgan took the floor and discussed the Domin- lean debt for the purpose of showing that 1t was largely made up of fraudu- lent claims. He talked also of the revenues of the Government, and used as basis the data which he recently presented to the Senate and which was printed as safe document.
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