The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-03-10
velopnents.

| Domingo treaty was practically per.
| fected today by the Senate committee
| on foreign relations so far as phrase
| gard TO the principles involved In the
procedure proposed by the conven-
ton. The committee agreed so far
that 1t was good to take a vote on the
treaty tomorrow to determine whether
the repart will be in favor OF ratifica-
tion or rejection. What that report will
be cannot be determined positively.
| although 1t is believed il will be favor
able. The Democrats on the commit
tee have expressed themselves as
against the treaty fundamentally, al
though they took an active part I'm
| the presentation and adoption OF
amendments. 1t Is expected that
most of the Republican Senator'S Will
vote to report the treaty as amended.
All of the amendments adopted by
the committee are with a general aim
of making the question covered stand
alone and remove all chance OF IL be-
ing used as precedent for like pro-
cedure in other countries under guisc
Of being required by the Monroe doc
| trine. For instance one of the amend
ments strikes out that portion OF the
second paragraph of the preamble
| which has been construed as n defin-
| ition and application OF the Monroe
| doctrine to the Santo Domingo case.
Discussion of the Santo Domingo
treaty in executive session of the Sen.
| ate today was complicated by q pro-
| test submitted by Senator Teller. This
| protest was from members Of the Hal
tfan and Dominican colonies in Europe
and was dated Paris. 1t is asserted
by the protestants that President Nor
ales Of the Dominican republic Is a
dictator and by entering into this
agreement with the United States Is
indirectly attempting to cede tn the
| United States territory which he fears
he cannot hold. On objection by SEN
ator Plat of Connecticut the protest
was not received. Senator Bacon Of
| fered number of amendments to his
| resolution. The amendments made
the resolution general in character by
| striking out the preamble and all
reference to any specific case. As re-
modelled the resolution directs the
Il
the Senate whether It is competent.
| under the constitution OF the United
States or any agreement. convention
or protocol. not made by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate. but
| solely through the executive branch
OF the government to be made with a
| foreign government to bind such gov
| ernments and constitute n constitution
l a xx-f,t ,tnt, vrff
| States shall be authorized and en-
| powered TO take possession Of the Gus
tom houses Of such foreign goven-
| ment- IT adds an inquiry as to
| whether under such an agreement the
United States may assume the respon-
sibility for the collection Of such cus-
toms duties and the disbursement OF
the same and to become accountable
to such foreign government and 10
its creditors and Furthermore to hold
said custom houses until the moneys
| awarded under said arrangement shaiI
have been fully collected. and TO hold
the custom houses by the authority
| and forcib.e power of the United
| States through its officers. employees.
Or agents, either civil or military.
| Another article has been added To
| the resolution which directs an ex-
animation and report as to whether
1t Is competent under any agreement
| not made by and with the advice ana
consent of the Senate to bind the
| United States and such foreign gov
| ernment I'm the liquidation and settle
| Tnent OF any debt OF the United States
! or one of the citizens, and II such an
| agreement may be constitutional to
| report its character and limitations.
| After presenting the amendments
Senator Bacon explained that he had
endeavored to make his resolution
| general so that the report Of the
committee would be applicable to-
matters OF like character tha. ray
arise In the future. The reso'.tion
vas ordered printed as amended and
| It's adoption viii be moved tomorrow.