New-York tribune., 1905-01-12
STANDS BY THE TREATIES.
THE PRESIDENT FIRM.
Viii Uyithdra,c Them If amended
Could Not affect SoatherR Debts

washington. jan 11-President Roosevelt
has let it be clearly understood that if the arb-
tration treaties now before the Senate are
amended so as to neutralize their effect, he will
withdraw them from consideration. In connec-
tion with these treaties the President has ad-
dressed the following letter to Senator Cullon,
chairman of the Committee Foreign Rela-
tons:
White House. Washington, Jan. 10, 1905.
My Dear Senator CulOm: notice IN con-
necton with the general arbitration treaties now
before the Senate that suggestions nave been
made TO the effect that under them II might be
possible to consider as matters Tor arbitration
claims against certain States of the Union in
reference to certain State debts. write to say
what. Of course. you personally know, that
under conceivable circumstances could any
such construction of the treaty be for a moment
entertained by any President. The holders of
state debts take Them With full knowledge OF
the constitutional limitations upon thelr recoV-
cry through any action of the national govern
ment, and must rely solely on State credit
Such a claim against State could under no
conditions be subnitted by the general govern
ment as matter for arbitration, any more than
such a claim against a county or municipality
could be thus submitted for arbitration. The
objection to the proposed amendment on the
subject is that II is mere matter of surplus
age and that it is very undesirable. when the
form OF these treaties has already been agreed
10 by the several powers concerned, needlessly to
add certain definitions which affect our own in
ternal policy only; which deal with matter OF
the relation of the federal government 10 the
states which it is. Of course, out of the queS-
ton ever to submit 10 the arbitration of any
outside tribunal. and which it is certainly alb
surd and probably mischiCvOus 10 treat pos
slble to be raised by the President or by any
foreign power. No one would even think OF
sucn matter as being one for arbitration or
Tor any diplomatic negotiations whatever.
moreover, these treaties run only for term OF
nve years; until the end of that period they will
certainly be interpreted in accordance with the
Wow above expressed Very truly yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Hon. 5. NJ Cullom. United States Senate.
ARBITRATION AND THE NAVY
The President has impressed on members OF
Congress, particularly of the Senate. that he
regards the arbitration treaties and a formf-
dable American navy as the best assurance OF
peace the United States possibly could have
He told several callers to-day therefore that
he wanted the treaties ratified and the naval
programme carried out without serious modih-
cation.
At his conference last Saturday with promi-
nent members OF Congress the President in
formed the Senators that ne desired the arbi-
tration treaties to be ratified. In his opinion
such action is Of the highest Importance. He
desired them to know that he would not permit
| the pending treaties to be radically changed,
as it had been intimated they might be in the
course Of their consideration by the Senate.
He said frankly that. rather than have the
treaties affected IN principle by their considera-
tion in the Senate. he would absolutely with
draw them.
The treaties now pending were negotiated by
Secretary Hay with the representatives Of the
powers and all Of them were signed IN Wash
ington They are with France Great Britain.
/ Germany, Italy. Portugal. Switzerland. Spain
and tria-Hungary The President and Sec
retary Hay felt that long step toward uni
versal arbitration and. consequently. universal
peace. had been taken in negotiating the
treaties. They have expressed surprise that an
attitude hostile to the treaties should have been
assumed by some Senators. The President has
expressed the hope that this attitude may not
be continued, not only the people of America,
but the people of the world represented In
the conventions are anxious that these negotia-
tions looking to peaceful settlement Of questions
which otherwise might cause war should be
concluded
The Committee on Foreign Relations con-
tinued consideration Of the treaties to-day. Sen
ator Bacon proposed amendment providing
that interests Of Estate shall not be subject 10
arbitration, but no action was taken The
treaties will be taken up again at the next
meeting of the committee.