New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-14
TREATY'S FATE TN DOUBT.
SOME ANXIETY OYER 1T.
Democrats May vote Solidly against
Dominican Contention.
trRoM THE rRIhuNB BUREAU

first DAVIS discussion of the Santo Domingo
protocol by the whole Senate. Republican lead
ers admit that the situation is precarious, al
though they still hope to secure ratification The
work Of the Committee on Foreign @seiations
and the informal discussion OF the agreement
in committee and cloak rooms appear TO have
solidihed the Republican vote but il begins to
look as il Senator German had been doing quiet
but effective work on the Democratic side and
had practically united the opposition II this
proves true the convention viii inevitably be
defeated.
One Of the most serious obstacles to the sue
cess of the protocol is the tendency OF Repub-
Iican Senators to leave the Capital Nonlinaily
the Republicans have 80 votes in the upper
chamber and the Democrats 81. actually there
are at present only 81 Republican votes with all
present in Washington, This results from the
fact that Senator Aldrich. who is in Europe, has
not been sworn in for his present term; that
Senator Knox is IN Florida and has not been
sworn in and that Governor La Toilette has
taken no step toward qualifying as a Senator.
while Senators Burton and Mitchell Mil not
vote until they have been cleared by the courts.
and meanwhile Democrats refuse 20 pair with
them. II is impossible. of course to secure pairs
for the three Senators not get sworn in
Both the Senator'S from New-Yori< are alb
sent and Senator Platt. at least. is not paired
Ark is impaired: Senator Long is jill, and I'M
paired. and Senator Willard is absent, without
pair 1t is possible. however. that pairs will be
secured for these Senators. that they may
return in time to vote. Nr. Knox has been adj
Fised by telegraph Of the importance or his
presence, and will return If his health will per-
nit. Information indicates that his health is
not seriously endangered, but it is feared that
ne may not be strong enough to travel without
danger There are vacancies in the Senate from
Missouri Delaware and Tennessee Assuming
that the five Senators first named viii be un-
able to reach Washington. that the Repub-
licans have only ffty-one votes, it would
ouire four Democratic votes to effect Tatihea-
ton. while there is a possibility that the Demo-
Gratis may increase their strength by one vote
through the election of successor to Senator
Bate which would make still another Demo-
cratic vote for the treaty necessary.
Republicans however, can see little ground for
united Democratic opposition. They point out
that failure of the convention would still leave
in effect the arbirrai award OF July II, under
which this country could probably take posses
sion of four Dominican ports while European
creditors would almost inevitably seize the re-
manning ports under the long neglected agree
naent made with them by the Dominican govern
rnent to devote the customs receipts OF the
largest two ports TO defraying Indebtedness to
European creditors.
HOPE FOR VOTE THIS WEEK
The Senate, however, viii do it's utmost to
complete the treaty ratify it and adjourn this
week This was manifested when the treaty
was taken up In executive session to-day. For
more than an hour the Senators discussed ways
and means, and finally agreed to meet at III
a. M daily in order to give time for a full dis
cussion OF the treaty and still adjourn by Satur-
day. 1t is conceded that il the vote is delayed
beyond that time quorum of the Senate could
not be obtained.
Only one amendment was offered to-day. That
was presented by Senator Bacon and provided
that such expenses of the army and navy as
may be incurred in carrying out the provisions
OF the treaty shall be paid from the revenues OF
Santo Domingo This amendment was pending
when the Senate adjourned. and viii be taken
up tomorrow. The Bacon amendment is TO Ar
ticle of the treaty which sets forth the classes
OF expenses to be paid from the 90 per cent Of
the revenues retained by the United States for
the liquidation of Dominican debts. The amend
ment is to Glass A, and if adopted. the provision
relating to that class will read as follows:
The commissions provided in Article I. the en-
ployes of all the custom houses and the expenses
incurred in Santo Domingo by the arm and
navy during the term Of the treaty.
After questions of ways and means, such as
time for the daily sessions of the Senate to be-
gin, whether the debates should be reported by
stenographers. ana other questions Of that char
acter had been disposed of. Senator Cullom
moved to take up the COMMITTEES amendments in
order. Senator Morgan objected the ground
that the chairman OF the committee should ez-
plain the provisions Of the treaty to the Senate
Senator Cullom then made a long speech. In
which he discussed the provisions of the con-
ventton and urged ratification. There were
number of Interruptions, but none Of them
showed the temper of the Senate in regard to
ratification or rejection They were almost en-
tirely devoted TO seeking information points
that did not appear clear.
Among those who interrupted Senator Cullom
and took part in the debate were Senator's Nor
gan, Bacon, Burrows, Daniel, Newlands Teller
and German. The Democrats discussed the
depth the United States is likely to get into IL
IL enters on the policy OF debt collecting, and
also declared that in Article l. which provides
that the United States may be called on to pre-
serve order. there is grave danger to this ooun
try. Senator Burrows read statement which
declared that the original investment OF the
Santo Domingo Improvement Company was
only $1.5o0. and that il had grown to 81 00o000
drawing per cent. Senator Bacon then offered
| his amendment and viii speak in support OF il
Tomorrow.
DEBATE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
When the treaty was taken up Mr. Teller
| made an earnest plea for consideration with
| open DOORS so that the position Of Senators for
and against the treaty might be perfectly un-
derstood The motion to open the doors was
voted down without division Mr.. Teller then
moved the adoption OF the recommendation OF
the Foreign Relations Committee that a ste
nogra pher be present to record the debate for
| the Senate. This was defeated on rollcalI.
Several Senators talked with the President to-
dav about the prospect of Fatifying the treaty.
Among them were Senators Cullom, Spooner,
Alger, Be-eridge. Depew. Blackburn. McCreary.
Burrows and Simmons. Senator Culom indi-
% ed length the session q