The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-13
Senate Committee Calm
ly Ignores His Tele-
graphed Request.
LITTLE CHANCE
OF RATIFICATION
Provision Comforting Special
Powers on Joint High Commits
sion Is Eliminated-Bryce's
Reference in The Ameri-
can Commonwealth
Proves to Be Factor.

Washington, August I2.-Dt.rcrnrJ
ing IA teleErnphcd request frpr PrcsI-
ucnt TAFT for contrary cotirae the
SENATE Committee on FOREIGN Rcla-
tfons to-day ngrceI upon an amend
menf to the british md French arbi-
trntion treaties, eliminating the pro-
vihon comforting npcciHI powers on
the proposed Joint high c,umisrion.
In this form the trcntieS were report
cd 60 the sennte, md the PRESIDENT.
Wishes that action he pontpoacd until
next December wcre set mt nnught
The senate almost ir,mediately gave
two hours to consideration of the
treaties. during which the danger Of
Old World dominance on any Joint
high commission was discussed In
oidentally. there was considerable talk
about a criticism upon the SENATE con-
tanned in The American Common
wealth. written by Ambassador Bryce
Ions before he ever thought Of coming
10 this country on diplomatic mis-
sion. In that work MIR Bryce at
tackled the Senate upon the ground
that II kept diplomatic troubles alive.
go long as there WIS any political ad-
vantage TO be gained by so doing
VIII Get Little Attention.
No conclusions were renched by the
Senate. and the general opinion among
Senators seemed to he that the trea-
ties would receive very little IL any,
further consideration at this session OF
Congress
The telegram from President TAFT
was sent from Beverley. and was re-
ceived BY Chairman Culiom prior to
the session OF the Foreign Relations
Committee. II was addressed to the
committee and requested that II the
treaties were to be amended that ac-
ton should be postponed until De-
cen,ber Before leaving Washington
President TAFT had made strong rep
reservations TO individual members ~
the committee urging az vitality i'm
portant the retention OF the provision
giving to the joint high commission
the right 10 determine disputed ques-
tions without reference to the Senate
Both President Taft and Secretary
OF State Knox have taken the position
that the paragraph which the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations purposes
to amend is necessary to the proper
operation OF the agreement. The
President gave Senator'S to understand
that he would not Yield without a Sc
we're struggle. and his friends express
doubt whether he would not prefer
the failure OF the treaties rather than
ratification with the paragraph clint
mated
There is considerable mystery about
the manner in which the views of Am
bassador Bryce as expressed in his
book were brought into the present
controversy. Each member of the For
eign Relations Committee received in
to-day's mail n neatly printed two
page pamphlet quoting an extract
from The Ararican Commonwealth"
In which the opinion was expressed
that a minority In the Senate may
control the action OF that body ad-
versely to the will of the majority in
"a narrow, sectional electioneering
spirit"
In this connection was a reference
TO the fact that under the Constim-
ton a two-thirds majority of the
Senate is necessary to the ratification
Of treaties with foreign powers.
Both In committee and in the Senate
the Characterization In Mr.. Bryce's
work was referred TO as Indicating a,
hostile disposition on the part of the
ambassador towards the senate's ex-
ercise OF its function of ratification.
Will Prepare Report.
To meet the desire for more infor-
nation. Senator Bourne entered mo-
ton, which the Senate adopted direct
ing the Committee on Foreign Rela
tions to prepare written report, Civ
ing the fullest possible information,
Both In committee and In the Senate
fear was expressed that the ratinca-
ton of the treaties would have tho
effect of throwing open the doors ar
arbitration to all the questions in
volved In dealing with such Oriental
nations as China and Japan and in
volving immigration and admission -
the public schools.
Senator Borah and other Western
Senators pointed out to the Foreign
Relations Committee this danger IN
this account. as we'll as for other
reasons. Mr. Borah moved the cancel
1ation of the paragraph conferrinp
extra privileges on the joint high
commission.
All the Senators conceded that none
Of these questions could be raised
under the compacts with France ard
Great Britain. but taking these as
mere forerunners of like treaties with
sll the civilized powers, they pointed
out the strong probability of bringing
Japan and China within the circle
In this connection reference was made
to the Presidents recent suggestion
to Admiral Togo that Japan prepare
to join in compact similar to those
already entered into.
Senator's Lodge, Root Burton and
others defended the treaties as In the;
interest OF the march of progress, and
all declared tn innocent of the nos.
eibilitles suggested.
The motion to report the treaties
received the support of all the men,
bers present except Senators CulIom
end Burton. who cast their votes in tho
(continued on Fourth Pago.)