New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-11
SILENT ON MCROCCO.
Senate Drops the Questiom-Danger
of Open Debate Pointed Out.

Washington, Jan 10-This was an unusually
quiet day in the Senate, and only routine mat
tiers were discussed, but in cloak and committee
rooms conversation turned the long executive
session of yesterday. It is generally conceded
that Senator Lodge made his point well that the
Bacon resolution should not be discussed in open
session. Such a discussion, it is now apprec1-
ated. must inevitably bring out more or less
drastic criticism of the courses of Germany and
France, and at any moment things were likely
TO be said which might be misunderstood and
even perhaps give grave offence to the powers
whose interests are at stake. 1t is further
pointed out that in dealing with Morocco the
United States is not iii the same position as 1t
would be were it dealing with wholly indepen-
dent power There are precedents to be found
in the treaties of 1868 and 1884 for the partici-
patton of this country in any general treaty af-
fectng the foreign relations Of Morocco, and the
United States having been party to Joint treaties
at that time Morocco could not have failed to
invite this country to the coming conference,
nor could the United States have failed to ap-
point delegates without jeopardzing her COM
mercial interests
Moreover. under the provisions of The Hague
convention the powers signatory thereto assume
the duty of rendering their good offices in the
cause of peace when circumstances indicate that
such good offices be effective and it is argued
that if the United States, by taking part in the
coming conference, can exercise its influence for
peace the nation would be remiss were it not to
avail itself of thee opportunity.
The Senate made it plain to-day that it heard
yesterday all it wants to hear for the present on
the Moroccan question. There were two oppor-
tunities to resume consideration of the subject
but both avoided, apparently with the
sent of all the members. Having had its day
in court, the resolution dealing with the subject
was placed on the calendar, and when 1t was
reached in regular order one manifested the
least disposition to disturb it there, and the
Senate adjourned at a comparatively early hour
rather than take it up.
Notwithstanding the early adjournment a
great deal of business was disposed of. About
eighty bills We're passed. leaving on the calendar
only six or seven measures OF the bills passed
a large majority grant private pensions and
many were bridge bills. One of the bills favor
ably acted on appropriates 5000 600 for the APP
propriate marking of the graves of Confederate
soldiers who died in Northern prisons in the
Civil War.
The Senate gave attention in turn to the ques
ton of the salaries paid TO Panama Canal Of
ficials TO the Pure Food bill and the Merchant
Marine Shipping bill, but without taking action
on either Of them The canal subject was dis
cussed by Mr. Simmons and the Pure Food bill
by Mr. Hepburn The only action taken on the
shipping bill was to read it at length.
Assurances received from the House leaders
that the Philippine bill would pass the lower
chamber within a week led to some discussion
Of that measure in the Senate Hobbies, and il is
intimated in some quarters that there are break
ers ahead for Secretary Tafts bill in the SEN
ate. Senator Lodge does not believe he will ex-
perience insurmountable difficulty in securing
the adoption of the bill without amendment, but
some other leaders take issue with Mr. Lodge on
this point while the Democratic Senator's from
Colorado and Senator Dubois of Idaho, are
nrimed and loaded with ammunition against the
hill The impression prevails that the measure
will be passed but it is held in some quarters
that before final enactment 1t will be amended
i'm important particulars