New-York tribune., 1911-12-19
Asks Senate in Special Message
to Approve His Action
Through Ambassador
on Sunday.
DIPLOMATIC WORDS USED
Way Open for New Document
Solving Passport Question
House Expected to Ac.
cept the Senate
Resolution.
From the Tribune Bureau. ]

United States 10 terminate the treaty of
1880 on January |, 1913. The formal
denunciation was communicated 10 the
Russian government by the American
Ambassador to 81. Petersburg on De-
cember II. pursuant to instructions
given by the President on December 10.
The reason given by the President FOR
the termination Of the treaty is that II
is mo longer fully responsive in van-
Gus respects 10 the needs OF the material
and political relations of the two coun-
tries which constantly grow more impor-
tant"; in other words, that ii is obso-
lcte.
The action Of the President. which
vas communicated TO the Senate to-
day. makes obsolete the Objectionable
Sulzer resolution. keeps the promise OF
the President to denounce the treaty II
diplomatic negotiations looking TO diff
ferent construction Of its terms proved
futile. and is couched in such language
as will make possible the immediate re-
sumption Of negotiations looking to a
new treaty which shall conform TO the
desires of this country and which may
be ready for ratification before the term
OF denunciation expires.
President Taft sent to the Senate to-
day message stating the facts and
saving that he did so with view 10
It's ratification and approval by the
Senate, as a part Of the treaty making
power of the government. After sew
eral hours deliberation az TO whether
the House, which had ignored the inn
piled request Of the President 10 await
the termination Of pending negotiations,
should be ignored by the Senate. the
Committee on Foreign Relations decided
TO report, and did report. a simple joint
resolution approving the course adopted
by the President.
House Dscourteous to President.
There were limitations to-day that the
action of the President in ignoring the
House had been discourteous. but when
members Of that body were reminded
|
guilty in refusing TO await the message
which the President had said he would
submit soon after the holiday recess
most of them admitted they had little *
which to complain.
To enable the Committee on Foreign
| Relations to consider intelligently the
subject before them, the Secretary of
State sent TO the chairman. Senator Cul-
lom, early to-day a confidential note
conveying the purport OF the Presidents
message.
The general sentiment among members
Of the Senate is that the President has
handled delicate situation in an adroit
and skilful manner. in large measure
obviating a debate which could have
done only harm and at the same time
leaving the way open for negotiations
which may eliminate the conditions
which are so distressing 10 this govern
ment 1t is fully realized that the adop-
ton of the SulZer resolution would have
uecluded all chance of ameliorsting the
conditions complained Of would proba
bly, have made even more unfortunate
the situation of those Jews who are still
residents of Russia and might have
been pregnant with unfortunate results
in other directions.
Apparently there is no disposition 10
criticise the action Of the President on
the part Of any save few who have
been eager and hope still further to pro-
mote their personal political fortunes
without regard TO the disastrous effects
which might follow. Senator Hitchcock,
of Nebraska, was the only member of
the Committee on Foreign Relations who
refused TO vote for the joint resolution
adopted unanimously by the other mem
bers of the committee.
House Only Would Delay Things.
The suggestion was made in the House
that il might be possible 10 pass the
Sulzer resolution over the President
veto. but was promptly rejected because
IL was seen that such an attempt would
unquestionably delay the termination Of
the treaty year even II there were the
slightest chance of obtaining the CO.
operation OF the Senate. Rejection by
the House OF the resolution reported by
the Committee on Foreign Relations and
the substitution of the Sulzer resolution
would not only be futile, in view Of the
fact that notice of the termination
of the treaty has already been given To
Russia, but even If il were possible ulu-
matelv To obtain the concurrence Of the
INNER house. would result in Presi-
dental veto, which would necessarily de-
fer action until after January |. and 50
make IL impossible for any action OF
Congress to take effect until January l.
1911.
Diplomats in Washington are extreme
IL chary of commenting on the relations
of this country To any nation except
their own, but among themselves they
regard the Presidents course as IA mas
terly diplomatic step.
The centre of interest in the treaty
situation was transferred to the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations from
the White House at IL o'clock this morn
ing when the Committee on Foreign Re
lations met To consider the Presidents
message. the purport OF which had been
communicated in the letter addressed to
Senator Cullom, the chairman. by Sec
retary Knox This method of bringing
the matter 10 the attention OF the com.
mittee obviated the necessity OF delay.
ing aution until the Senate had met In