New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-24
DOWNS SENATE CRITICS.
UPHOLDS THE PRESIDENT.
Dir. SPooner Shoes PrOPriety Of
DOmlRgaH and Moroccan Policies.
CFr.m tn. nrIbuns Rursau.l


washington. Jan 23.-"The President OF TIE
United States who hit upon the psyc7oIo5ioaf
moment TO intervene and brina TO an end tns
dePIorable war between Russia and japan can
be trusted TO determine the psychological mo-
ment when Ambassador White and MS co.,
league, Minister Gumrnere, must Withdraw
rro" the Moroccan conference IN order to savs
this country from all danger Of unfortunate
European entanglsments, should such moment
come to pass"
Would the American people prefer that the
president preserve the existing status in Santo
Domingo BY keeping warships in Dominican
haroors, or that he withdraw those varshios
and content himself with futile protests against
European seizure Of custom houses, protests
which nisht-probaby Mould-ulsinnatslv in
NolNe this country in a disastrous European
war;"
Ihese were two OF the points made by SEN
ator Spooner IN mastery exposition OF tia
constitutional powers OF the President and tha
Foreign policy OF the administration In the SEN
axe to-day For three hours Mr.. SpOoner spoke.
holding the closest attention OF Senators on
both sides OF the chamber. while the galleries.
were packed and men and women stood in line
IN the corridors awaiting an opportunity to
get in
In the course OF his remarks Mr. spoonsr.
completely refuted the allegations OF usurps-.
tion OF power by the President which the Dem
ocrats have recklessly made in connection with
the sending OF delegates to the Moroccan con-.
ference and the preservation OF tho existing
status in SantO Domingo and, answering every
question and objection raised bv the oDposf-
tion. established beyond peradvsnture not only-
the authority OF the administration TO pursus
IN every detail the policy thus far followed bus
the entire proDriety ana wisdom of the Presi-
dents course.
POWERS OBJ THE PRESIDENT.
In beginning his remarks Mr.. spooner outIius4
the powers vested IN the President BY the Con-
sutution in 50 far they concern foreign re-
lattons, and declared these powers to be abgo--.
lutely unlimited, except as circumscrfbed by
the principles OF international law and tho ex-
press mandates OF the Constitution Itself until
there arrives a message to ask the Senate 20
approve a duly negotiated treaty. He decIarsdf
And even then the President Is so ornnfpotent
that even after a treaty has received the unanf-
nous approval Of the Senate, II that be pos
sibla he may put IL in his pocket where iL shall
never again see the light OF day. He is free
TO do this as he was to negOtiats the treaty. or
not TO do so. in the first place. Nor would ic
after this right II every member or the Senate
believed that the ratihcatons should be eX-
changed Why Because on the President "a
imposed the duty OF keeping posted regarding
the almost constantly changing conditions in
foreign countries. wherever an American citizen
may reside or the rights and property OF
American citizen may be involved Ana this
power and responsibility are imposed by the
Constitution. because while one set OF conditions
may prevail to-day totally different set %
duty Of the President. through the ambassadors
and ministers, who throughout the world OBJ
serve situations with watchfUl eyes. 20 keep
posted regarding every important change.
The Senator dvelt at some length on the need
Of secrecy in the conduct OF foreign relations.
and remarked that II the trainers OF the Con-
stitution could have foreseen the marvellous
secrecy which attends the executive business
Of the Senate they might have made other pro-
visions concerning the part which the Senate
was to play in the conduct Of such relations
ANSWERS MR.. BACON.
Referring to Senator Bacon's recent speech. in
which he criticised the action OF the President
In sending delegates to the Moroccan conference
and depIored the attendant danger or entangIing
foreign alliances. Mr.. spooner demanded:
Why should this body. a partner OF the Prssi-
dent IN the making Of treaties. openly express
It's suspicion or the wisdom Of the President OF
the United States. leaving the delegates from
the other nations to the Algeciras conferences
To go out and discuss the question OF fust when
the Senate may demand the withdrawal OF the
delegates OF the United States. a natural ques-
ton to the minds OF men who do not understand
our laws.
The Senator from Georgia seems 10 be afraid
OF conferences. l confess do not share that
fear. If we are 20 maintain our position among
the nations OF the earth we will. with the lapss
uctpate In such conferences. II IS as the resulE
OF an International conference that the United
States has Judge the bench OF Esvpt u
safeguard and adtudicate the interests Of Amer
lean citizens. The existing treaty with Morocco
had its birth in conference the Conference o.
Madrid. OF 1850. The trainers OF the Constitu-
ton did not attempt 70 create either a baby
nation a hermit nation, and they voted to
the President the full power TO neEoLiats
treaties, treaties of alliance, or to establish
suzerainties or prOtectOrates- That he does not
exercise that power is because it "a contrary to
our foreign policy. not because IL would be uns
constitutional
mot A HERMIT NATION
Quoting a comparatively recent decision OF thu
Supreme Court OF the United States, Arr.
SpOoner declared that IL was important because
Il showed that the highest tribunal IN the land,
than which there are none greater IN the world.
measured the powers OF the government precisely
as they were measured by the immortal trainers
OF the Constitution. and. again referring 70 con-
ferences, he said:
AS we grow in strength and power and wealth
and commerce, and IN the esteem OF the nations
wise and good and strong and Just nation.
the President viii ind more and more necessity
to send delegates 10 foreign conferences The
United States has taken the lead in International
haps not beyond the probable that Mr. White
and his colleague may find opportunity 20 con-
tribute to the peaceful issue OF the conferences
now in session at AlgeCiras
Nor Is there lacking precedent for the an
rOintment of delegates 70 that conference HIS
tory shows this 20 be true. FOR we have this
I'm Morocco When we were colonies OF Great