Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-18

: The treaty has also given rise. from
time to time to certain controversies
equally regretted by both govern
ments.
I'm conveying the present formal noti-
fication to your excellency, / am in
structed to express the desire OF my
government, meanwhile, to renew the
effort to negotiate a modern treaty OF
on bases more perfectly responsive to
the interests Of both governments.
Il am directed by the President at
the same time, to emphasize the great
value attached by the government or
the United States to the historic rela-
tions between the two countries and
the desire of my government to spare
ne effort to make the outcome OF the
proposed negotiations contribute still
further to the strength and cordially
of these relations.
~ avail myself of this occasion to OFFER
to your excellency the renewed assurance
of my highest consideration
II now communicate this action to the
Senate. as a part of the treaty-making
power of this government. with a View to
its ratification and approval
WILLIAM III. TAFT
Demands Executive Session.
Immediately after the Presidents
message had been read Senator Lodge
presented the resolution agreed upon
offered it as substitute for the Sulzer
resolution passed by the House. ~ -
After the message .aHd<fhessesoaatior
bad been read senator Hepburn Of
Idaho moved that further considera-
tien of the matter be in executive ses-
sion.
lie declared that it was proposed to
cancel a contract of great commercial in
terest to the United States. involving a
trade of many millions of dollars. and he
thought it should be seriously considered.
and at length. =
Acceptable to House.
House leaders including Chairman Sui
Ter. said today that the House would
gladly accept the Senate resolution.
Senator Hepburn spoke at length on
his motion. and seemed to critlcise
members who had publicly expressed
their opinion.
II did not vote in the newspapers
yesterday" he said. II do not think
the Senate should dispose of mat
ter of such magnitude In an ohhand
manner.
1T looks too much like the steam
roller process to bring into the Senate
q resolution and a message and ask
Immediate consideration.
'"The Russian government is a differ
ent government that It was when that
treaty was made. Whether or not at
moments notice. We should deal with
this question as We would the payment
of mileage rather staggers me- 1t looks
too much like sentiment instead OF judg-
ment.
No Protest by Russia.
= Secretary of State Knox declared today
that there had been a great deal of mis-
apprehension about the attitude of Rus
STA in the recent negotiations. He as
serted anew that Russia had not protest
ed to the United States against the abb
rOgation of the treaty nor against the
language of the Sulzer resolution.
The Secretary said that neither for
mally nor informally had Russia entered
any sort of complaint.
1t was intimated early this afternoon
that later i'm the day correspondence
might be made public which would clear
the air materially.
Effect of Abrogation. +
There is considerable speculation in
Official and diplomatic circles as to the
effect the abrogation of the Russian
: American treaty of 1882 may have on the
F, future relations of the two governments.
The treaty may be terminated without
= causing the least friction. or 1t may be
I. terminated, eithers intentionally or inro-
+, Gently, 80 as TO provoke resentment or
spirit of retaliation. 1t all depends. IL is
agreed. on the way it is done. In case
the treaty is abrogated by the United
!. States without offending the dignity of
fzRussia IN ITS action. the future raiattons
of the people and governments of the two
countries will be pretty much what they
wish them to be. The belief prevails that
the termination of the old treaty will
have no immediate effect on either. coun-
: try or it's Inhabitants. unless followed by
legislative er executive action of re-
taliatory nature on the part Of the other
government.
1t is al gued that unless Russia takes
umbrage at the abrogation of the treaty.
regardless of the reason therefor. and
retaliates through her tariff laws. Or un-
less the United States Congress deliber-
ately legislates RUSSIA out Of the prov
ince Of the maximum and minimum
clauses of the tarfn act. the regular
commerce between the tive countries
probably will continue indefinitely with
out material change.
The termination OF the treaty might.
however, be employed by an offended
nation to the exercise OF acts OF harsh
ness against citizens of the other .coun@
try temporarily under its Jurisdiction, -es-
pecialfy where there was racial or re-
ligious prejudice.