Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-16
OUR FOREIGN POLICY
DISCUSSION OF MR.. BACON'S
MOROCCO RESOLUTION.
The Matter Finally Referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations
Of the Senate.

OF the senate.
The discussion in the Senate of Mr.
Bacons Morocco resolution was continued
yesterday afternoon until after o'clock
AFTER Inc stars report OF the proceedings
was closed Mr. McCumber asked whether
Mr.. Bacon had any information leading
him to believe that there was any intention
to depart from our settled policy in sending
delegates to Algecirss. and whether. II he
had no such information. he did not think
II wise to have representatives at the con-
ference for the purpose of protecting our
commercial rights in Morocco
Mr.. Bacon replied that unfortunately
there was no information because OF the
failure of the President to supply the Sem
ate with the instructions given to the dele
gates to Algeciras. He would In general
AVOID interference in all conferences having
other than commercial interests at issue
Mr.. Spooner suggested that it would be
possible for our conferees to refrain from
participation In matters of a political
nature and said IT would be difficult TO
ma a European conference, even on COM
mercial questions, which does not involve
politics to some extent
MI. Hale's Attitude.
Mr.. Hale said that he did not regret the
discussion
II think that in all matters submitted to
the Senate involving treaties or even the
negotiation of treaties" he said lit was
never intended to shut the Senate out or
participation. / do not think the Senate
should stand dumb In such matters. as
some senators seem to do. Whoever ex-
amines the records will find that it was not
intended that such should be the case.
1T is said" he went on, that We may
trust the executive. 1 think We may. But
suppose we should have an executive that
we could not trust2 What would happen
If such an executive should find 1t desirable
to reha bfitate his own fortunes or those
of his party? What. in such a case, must
happen IL the Senate should be compelled to
wait until the mischief is done?"
Mr.. Spooner asked what could be done at
such a stage, and Mr.. Hale replied: II have
no doubt IL 1t was found that the executive
NIT the country to a war policy, the Senate.
with the House of Representatives. could
interfere and put check to his course.
Il don't believe" he said, that in the
present case the Secretary of State will al
low the country to be involved. and I do
believe that the conservative interests OF
the country will be guarded. l see no
alarm. but l wish that the Secretary of
State and the President had determined not
to send delegates to this conference. 1t is
not called in the interest of commerce 1t
Is simon pure and outright political af-
fair, and has to do with matters In which
we have no concern. l cannot speak for
the President or the Secretary Of State, but
l should think that if the conference was to
be held now they would hesitate before
agreeing to enter 1t. But they have gone
too far to recede at this stage. The danger
is not from the President or from the Sec
rotary, but from the war spirit in this
country
After charging upon this point, he said
the United States has little to do with
Morocco, and that we could negotiate
new treaty If desired in sixty days. Then
he returned to the purposes of the confer
ence, saying: Commerce will never have
a moments consideration, and we would
have done much better to have kept our
hands off -
Mr. Bacon expressed the opinion that
nine out OF ten who had heard the debate
agreed with the position of Mr.. Hale. and
he asked what would happen If question
involving serious political questions should
arise and the American delegates should
have the tie vote.
Delegates Might Withdraw.
I'm such event. replied Mr.. Hale, II be-
lieve that Secretary Root. backed by the
President, would telegraph the delegates to
withdraw from the conference"
IN such event would it not be better TO
have kept out entirely?'' asked Mr.. Bacon.
But they are there" responded Mr. Hale.
and | repeat that In case the situation
should become such as to Involve the Unit
ed States the administration would autor-
fze Its delegates 10 withdraw
Mr.. Bacon responded that while all might
be safe under the present administration
the important point is that great prece-
dent is involved. The time might come
when bad men would be in places OF re-
sponsibility, 1t had in enc instance when
a man who was afterward tried for trea-
son had cast a deciding vote, and the dam
ger would arise at such a time.
Closing, Mr. Bacon said he had meant no
reflection the President or the Secretary
Of State. both of whom he highly respected
He spoke feelngly of the fact that the Pres
idents maternal ancestors We're Georcians
and said he had performed a great Service
to humanity in bringing about peace be-
tween Russia and Japan. He added that
the President, not being lawyer might
easily become involved in some matters re-
curing legal discrimination. as had evil
IDENTIFY been the case in the matter of a
treaty which had never been submitted to
the Senate. but which Is nevertheless. in
full force and effect.
Mr.. Bacon's resolution then. at his
request referred TO the committee on for
eign relations, and the merchant marine
bill was laid before the Senate. Mr. Gal
linger offered a number of amendments to
that bin which were adopted. The amend
ments related principally to the naval mill
tia proposed by the bill After a short
executive session the Senate adjourned at
s:02 O'Clock.