New-York tribune., 1911-03-02
From The Tribune 1sureau.I
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Washington, March J.
HoNDURAN TREATY Despite the fact
that the treaty with Honduras was or
dered favorably reported to the Senate to-
day by the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions, after the Secretary OF State had met
all the objections presented by the Repub-
lican members, there is practically no
chance for its ratification at this session
of Congress. This is due 10 the intense
opposition Of the Democrats, who led by
Senator Bacon, would debate the conven-
tion at such length as wholly to preclude
its approval before noon on March 4. This
situation is the occasion OF serious dig
appointment TO the Secretary Of State, who
has labored assiduously TO bring about
this arrangement, which includes, In effect
the contract between J. p. Morgan q Co
and the Honduran government and such
supervision by Americans over the rev.
enues OF Honduras as will insure the car
rying out of that part OF the contract
which provides for the segregation of a
portion of the revenues 70 meet interest
charges and furnish a sinking fund. In
principle. thie treaty IS not dissimilar 20
that with Santo Domingo, under which
that republic is making material progress
toward the payment OF its debts, while all
possibility Of reprisals by foreign nations
has been fo-estalied. Mr.. Knox hoped that
the figures he was able TO show as re-
suit Of the Dominican arrangement, the
grave necessities Of Honduras, which has
acquired a foreign debt The face of which
amounts 10 lo0,o0o,o0G but which can ce
refunded for s2,OOO.00O under the proposed
treaty, and the importance to the peace or
Central America OF that tranquilization ~
Honduras which can be accomplished only
in this way, would SO appeal 10 the Demo-
Gratis as to dissrm their opposition, but this
hope proved vain. They have made no
progress since they 60 vigorously opposed
the treaty with Santo Domingo The sus-
gestion of what they term IAN entanslfng
alliance" with q miniature Central Ameri-
can republic fills them with such apprehen-
sion that they become blind TO the menace
which the little republics persistent repu-
diation of its debts constitutes TO the for
eign relations of the United States. They
are incap pable OF understanding the provo
cation 10 a violation of the Monroe Doc
trine which such reputation affords to the
great powers whose nationals are the
fiaunted creditors. And when. to the su$-
gestion OF IAN entangling alliance are
added references to Wall Street and j. +.
Morgan, their agitation Is painful 10 wit
ness. II was a Democratic member OF
the Committee on Foreign Relations, by
the way, of whom President Roosevelt
made his famous remark: He Is a charm
ing fellow, cultivated man and gentle
man. His only trouble is that the good
Lord gave his sweetbreads for brains
STOPS NAVAL PROGRESSING Senate
Committee on Naval Affairs, after care
fully canvassing the situation, decided that
it dare not curtail the eight-hour provision
the House put into the naval appropriation
bill beyond limiting II TO the construction
Of batteships. Its elimination would have
resulted in protracted debate in the Senate
and might have caused the bill TO die in
conference. The retention OF this provision
without the necessary increase OF the
amount the Secretary OF the Navy is au-
thorized "a pay for ships, in effect author
ICES no ships at all--or. al least. no ships
10 be built in private shipyards. The Sen
ate committee has increased the provision
for ships to be built in the New York yard
constructors But the ships to be built in
private yards cannot be started until bids
for their construction within the limits
prescribed by Congress have been received,
and, as Secretary Meyer has pointed on 70
the committee. no contractor will under
take the work within the authorized price
and under the provision that he must not
work his men more shan eight hours a day.
OF course, no one questions the right OF
Congress 10 prescribe that labor employed
IN the construction Of naval vessels shall
not work more than eight hours. but it will
probably take time for the public TO realize
the folly of imposing that limitation and
then refusing to recognize the increased
cost which must necessarily result there
from.
4 RECLAMATION ROAST. Senator