Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-18
RUSSIA AND THE
UNITED STATES.
Situation Fraught With Danger
Explosive Possibilities Cause
Alarm.
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE.
president Endeavors to Relieve situa-
,,on-Wants to Send Note For Abro-
cation OF Treaty as it is Obsolete.

,,on-W ants to Send Note For Ahro-
ration OF treaty as it is Obsolete.
Washington, D, c.. Dec. 1S.-De=
yelopments started early in the Rus
sian embroglio today when President
Taft summoned to the White House
library Senator's Isidor Rayner Dem.
MIDI, Burton (Rep.OO. and Nc
crmber (Rep. n. d., all members OF
the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations. to urge them to aid in
smoothing out the situation. Ray
ner has been firm in his demand for
The language Of the Sulzer resolution
asserting that Russia has no just
ground for objection to the statement
That it has violated tho treaty, which
he says, is notorious fact.
Facing a situation fraught with
explosive possibilities and one of the
most confusing legislative and dip
lomatic tangles presented during his
Administration, President Taft today
used every means within his power to
force quiet and quick settlement OF
the difficulties surrounding the ab-
rogation of the Russian treaty of
1882.
He put the proposition up to the
Senate and, in private conversation
with Senator's, served notice that he
would veto the Sulzer resolution
containing the direct charge that Rus
sia has violated the treaty, to which
Russia objects and takes exception.
Determined TO cause the abroga-
lion Of the treaty. under which Rus
sia for years has refused passports
to Jewish American citizens, the
President lis equally as positive that
no offense should be offered to the
Russian government. whose long
standing friendship he holds in high
esteem. He was prepared to take
the whole matter into his own hand
by sending a polite note to Russia
stating that this government wishes
to abrogate the treaty on the ground
that il is "obselete." BY this means
he was prepared to forestall Congress
sional action and cut off the Sulzer
resolution. Many believed early to-
day that the President hal already ta-
ken THIS action on the advice OF his
Cabinet at the late session which
broke. up shortly after midnight
The question Of jurisdiction pres
ented tangle that offered difficult
ties, but the President, on the ad-
vice OF Senator Cullom. Chairman Of
the Senate. Foreign Relations Com
mittee, and other authorities on in
ternational law. was certain that he
had the power to act independently
of Congress. Chairman Sulzer OF
the House Committee Of Foreign AT
fairs contends that in the abrogation
OF q treaty the House must have its
say. If the House is ignored by the
Senate and the President through
the independent action Of the Presi-
dent, reported to the Senate III spe-
ciA message, there is much specula-
tion as to the nature Of the breach
that will follow.
When the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations met to take action
on the Sulzer resolution. Chairman
Cullom was fully informed as to the
attitude Of the President and the Ad-
ministration, and was prepared to
work together with Taft in bringing
about q speedy settlement of the
question. There was no doubt that
the Committee would approve abro-
CATION of the treaty. and 1t was equal
ly certain that it would not approve
the charge made in the Sulzer reso-
luton that Russia had violated the
treaty"
dt was expected that the committee
would automatically assume the at
titude of the Russian government
which is that there have been differ
ences of Interpretation" OF the treaty
rather than that Russia has dellb-
erately violated it. 1t was gener-
ally conceded that abrogation would
be demanded. however. on the SIM,
pie ground that the treaty is OBJ
solete.
When the Senate opened this after
noon a message from the president was
read setting forth bis action in notifying
Russia that be would abrozste tho
treaty. Senate. Lodge Immediately
introduced substitute for the Sulzer
resolution, as approved by the foreign
relations committee. On objection to
immediass consideration. made by
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