The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-16
REPUBLICANS
 ARE AT SEA
 -e- Unable to Have Dominican Treaty Passed. DEMOCRATS TOO STRONG Matter Will Probably Be A. lowed to Lapse. Senator's Desire More Complete Infer- nation RegardinE 50 Important . step-MerEan Speaks in
 Opposition.
DEMOCRATS TOO STRONG

leaders of the Senate are at sea re- specting the action advisable to take in regard to the Santo Domingo treaty.
 Recognizing that the Democrats con- trol more than one-third of the votes and that two-thirds are required to rat fly the convention, the sentiment of the Republican leaders Is that the treaty should be withdrawn by the President. On this subject the Senate and the President do not agree and the idea prevails that after one or two days of inconsequentlal discussion the special session of the Senate will be allowed to adjourn without date and the treaty lapse. But this plan is not popular in the Senate and a way to avoid 1t is being sought
 One alternative which in the discus sion concerning 1t was termed merely an excuse for inaction, is that Senator Cullom as chairman of the committee on foreign relations should offer res- olution directing the President to ap- point commission to make an investi- gation of the Santo Domingo debt and other questions involved in the proto- col. This plan was agreed on tenta- lively as the program most desirable under existing conditions especially as 1t is believed that such a resolution could be adopted without debate. No decision wes reached which may not be changed tomorrow. however, and other plans have been suggested or are brew ing.
 Democratic Detection Talked.
 Senator Newlands offered a resolu- tion calling on the President to send to the Senate certain information be- lieved to be In possession of the State department in relation to Dominican affairs. The resolution was not seri- ously considered at the time and MT. Newland's speech advocating adoption received scant attention. Later in the day 1t was whispered that if the reso- iution was adopted and the Democrats felt that all of the information ob- taInable would be given to them. q |srerccfion of tiftnk ors;fa pesAsrrs tie votes might result. This would ratify the treaty.
 Leaders of the minority party on the other hand took the position that no information could be forthcoming which would change the principle in- volved in the treaty and that 1t is Idle for the Republicans to hope for aid from their side of the chamber The resolution nevertheless remained undis- posed of and there was talk among Re- publican leaders late in the day of adopting 1t and putting 1t to test as a vote getter.
 The debate during the day was rni- formly interesting in spite of the fact that 1t was broken up by questions from both sides of the chamber. As in the preceding discussions party lines were drawn. The Republicans sup ported the treaty and the Democrats opposed 1t. Among those who talked for the treaty were Senators Spooner, Heyburn, Platt of Connecticut and Full ton. while those who spoke in opposi- tion were Senators Mccreary, Morgan, Culberson. Newlands, Mallory, Clay and Bailey.
 Senator Spooner advocated ritifica- ton mainly on the grourS that Santo Domingo is in the pathway between the United States and Porto Rico; that the Dominican government had asked the United States to take charge and that by doing so this government could insure peace on an island that IS close neighbor to American territory. He nut it on the grounds Of humanity.
 Opposition was expressed by Senator Newlands, who, however. said that he was an expansionist. but was not wholly satisfied with conditions In Santo Domingo, and thought there should be an inquiry before they were adiourned. He said that the plan for a commission might include an equity with view to the annexation of the island
 Hope Abandoned.
 Even the most sanguine Republicans can see no way of getting within nearer than three votes of ratification and in fact hope has been abandoned of pass ing the San Domingo treaty at the present session of the Senate. The treaty iA<hot dead, but will be laid aside afew months. Senator Culiom of Illinois, chairman of the Commit tee on Foreign Relations, who has charge of the treaty in the Senate, has apprehended since The debate opened on Monday that it would be scarcely possible to secure favorable action upon 1t at this time.
 While no definite agreement has been reached, yet, it is quite probable that the Senate will put the treaty aside without taking a vote. thus holding the convention before the body until some time later.
 ii is pointed out, however, that vote might be taken, and If the treaty should be rejected a motion to recon sider could be entered and adopted by a majority vote. This would hold the treaty before the Senate.
 Senator Cullom ana several other Senators talked with the President to- day about the matter and all the indi- cations are that no definite action on fl will be taken at present. Senators on both sides of the chamber manifest a desire for more explicit information regarding some phases of the San Domingo question before passing upon the treaty.
 The idea which meets greatest ap- proval now is that arrangements will be made by theSenate to acquire during the recess of Congress all information concerning San Domingo affairs that the Senate may desire in order that 1t may pass upon the treaty In a way very satisfactory to itself. When the Senate shall convene next autumn the treaty will be taken up and considered in the light of the developments at that time.
 In view of this tacit understandinE 1t is quite probable the Senate will ad- journ tomorrow or Friday. It is known that several Senators have made ar arrangements to leave Washington the latter part of the week.
 AGtsE the Presidsut had discussed