The Washington herald., 1908-05-03

No American embassy in Paris viii be
authorized az this session or Congress.
unless It should be done by means Of
special BILL
On a point of order Senator Culberson,
OF Texas. minority leader in the Senate.
yesterday had stricken out of the diplo-
matte and consular appropriation bill the
section inserted by the Senate Commit
tee on Appropriations providing for the
purchase OF a residence in Paris for the
American ambassador
The point Of order made by Senator
Culbersen came at the end Of a debate
over the provision, which occupied about
an hour Mr.. Hale az the outset explained
that an exceptional opportunity now ex-
lists for the purchase Of an American
embassy in Paris, the property improved
by the last American Ambassador being
for sale at a reasonable price, the i'm
provements made by the ambassador
making it a very desirable residence. -Four
hundred thousand dollars was allowed by
the committee for this purpose.
Beginning a New Policy.
tee amendment was intended to be only a
beginning OF a new policy Of having the
United States own its own embassies, this
country being now in an almost anoma-
lous situation In this respect. The prop
erty TO be purchased In Paris. he said,
included rot only the residence OF the
ambassador. but offices and grounds as
well The only diplomatic establishments
owned by the United States at present,
he said, are a few in far Eastern coun-
tries. where It is necessary for the protec-
tion of the ministers that the property
occupied by them shall be IN the name OF
the United States.
Senator Culberson remarked that he
thought the object aimed at could be at
tanned better by a separate bill, as he
doubted the propriety Of embarking upon
so new a policy in an appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hale replied that it had TO be in
corporated in an appropriation bill sooner
or later, and the committee had deemed
it best to take the more direct course, es-
pecialiy in view OF the existing opportu-
nifty 10 purchase desirable property in
Paris. The committee ais3 realized, he
said, that il would be necessary 10 pur-
chase embassies and legations one at a
time, as the amount involved in carrying
out the new policy would be up in the
millions, and it was thought best to be-
gin as soon as possible.
Warren Gives Comparisons.
Senator Warren, pointing out the un-
usual nature of the chance 10 buy the
Paris property. declared that the price
asked was remarkably low. The English
embassy, there, he said. had cost ten
times as much as was proposed to pay for
that desired by the United States, and
the Austrian establishment was worth
seven times as much as the proposed
American purchase. Other nations had
establishments at the French capital in
proportion. he said.
Senator Teller suggested that the up
keep Of an establishment worth slO0. 600
would be too expensive for the present
salary Of the American Ambassador to
France, which is 1880 year. He ad- !
vocated the provision of adequate quar- |
teFs for the American representative. but !
he would also advocate increasing the |
salary or providing a separate fund for /
the maintenance of the embassy when /
purchased
We're rich enough to do this in proper
style. II We do il AT all" said Mr. Teller
and we ought to do It right, or not at /
all
Tells Story ON Choate,
To illustrate the condition which sur |
rounds American Ministers and Ambas- /
sadors abroad. Senator Lodge told a /
story, which he said Joseph H. Choate. /
former Ambassador TO the Court Of 81.
James. had told on himself. A London /
policeman found the American Ambas- !
sador wandering about the streets one /
rainy night, and accosting him, asked 4
what he was doing out on so bad a /
night why do you not go homer"
asked the bobby" I have no home. ."
Mr.. Choate replied. 7 am the American |
Ambassador"
After Senator Bacon, of Georgia, in a /
somewhat lengthy address, had advocated
the retention of the amendment. and de-
tended the price asked for the Paris prop
erty, Senator CulbeTsOn suggested that
the amendment was out of order. basing
his attitude upon a point of law.
Mr.. Lodge quoted the statute TO prove
that the point was not well taken under
the law. and the Vice President over
ruled the point Of order. Mr.. Culherson.
however, came back with another point
Of order, this time basing it on the
Senate rJle prohibiting the addition Of
an amendment carrying d change of
existing law 10 a general approximation
bin.
Changes His Ruling.
Both Mr.. Lodge and Mr.. Hale contend
ed that the pending amendment did not
come within the meaning Of the rule.
contending that it was simply a new
item in the bill, and not essentially a
change Of existing law. The Vice Presi-
dent, however, after an examination of
the rule, sustained the point OF order.
and the amendment went out OF the bill.
Two other committee amendments. pro-
posing 70 pay to Sweden. under a claim
OF a Swedish subject growing out of
the Samoan troubles, 1915. and TO pay to
Norway, for a Norwegian claim growing
out Of the same source. 500, were also
stricken from the bill. The measure was
then passed.
To Protect st. john River.
The bill as It passed was amended to au-
thorize the Secretary of State to employ
counsel and take other necessary steps
to protect the navigation in the St John
River. For this purpose $4,000 was ap-
The other Senate amendments reported
by the committee and adopted were as
follows: For the International Institute
Of Agriculture at Rome. s4,sO0; to closet
up the work OF the Joint High Comnis
sion. $1,000. to purchase legation property
In Tokyo, Japan, $S.267; for the exchange |
Of legation property in Pekin, and the
bill reOrganizing the consular service. I