Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-14
SENATE RESENTS BRYCE'S WORDS
Attack on Upper Chamber in Book is
Brought Into Debate.
FEAR OLD WORLDS DOMINANCE
Will Get Little More Consideration
During This Session.
YELLOW PERIL ISSUE RAISED
Senators Point out strong Probability
of bringing japan and China
within CircIe--Pro.ident's
Speech Quoted.

4Ahk ct%aN
telegraphed request from President Taft
the senate committee on foreign relations
yesterday agreed upon an amendment to the
British and French arbitration treaties
eliminating the provision comforting spe-
cial powers on the proposed Joint high
commission. In this form the treaties were
reported to the senate, the presidents
wishes that action be postponed until next
December being set at naught.
The senate almost Immediately gave two
hours to consideration OF the treaties, dur
ing which the danger of old world DOM
nance on any joint high commission was
discussed. Incidentally there was much
talk about criticism of the senate con-
tanned In THE American Common
wealth" written by Ambassador Bryce
long before he ever thought Of coming to
this country on a diplomatic mission. In
that work Mr.. Bryce attacked the senate
upon the ground that II kept diplomatic
troubles alive so long as there was any
political advantage to be gained by so do
ing.
sidetracked for This Session.
The general opinion among senator's
seemed to be that the treaties would re-
ceive very little, IL any, further considera-
ton in this session Of congress.
The telegram from President Taft to the
committee requested that II the treaties
were to be amended that action be post
poned until December. Before leaving
Washington President Taft made strong
representations to individual members Of
the committee, urging as vitality important
the retention OF the provision giving to
the joint high commission the right to
determine disputed questions without
reference to the senate
The president gave senators to under
stand that he would not yield without
severe struggle ,and his friends expressed
doubt whether he would not prefer the
failure of the treaties rather than rat-
fication with the paragraph eliminated. The
suggestion has been made that the presi-
dent may even go so far as to withdraw
the treaties, bu. Some of his closest friends
are authority for the statement that in
stead he will undertake to defeat the sus-
gested amendment.
Mystery About Bryce's Book.
There is much mystery about the manner
in which the views OF Ambassador Bryce.
as expressed in his book were brought into
the controversy. Each member OF the
foreign relations committee received In to-
days mail a neatly printed two-page
pamphlet quoting an extract from THE
American Commonwealth" In which the
opinion was expressed that minority In
the senate may control the action Of that
body adversely to the will OF the majority
in "a narrow electioneering spirit" In this
connection was a reference to the fact that
under the constitution 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 of the senate In Mr..
Bryce's work was referred to as indicat-
ing a hostile disposition on the part Of the
ambassador towards the senates exercise
of its function Of ratification. The opinion
was expressed by several that M. Bryce's
views had had an undue influence in the
formulation of the treaty. 1t became
evident during the discussion that this
criticism of the senate, Notwithstanding
that 1t was written without any possible
reference to the present contingency. would
be used against favorable action upon the
treaty by the senate.
Some Of the opponents OF the treaty in
the form in which 1t was presented went
so far as to suggest that the circular had
been distributed among senators by friends
of the treaties with view to sustaining
the presidents own position.
The question of the British ambassadors
former attitude was referred TO at some
length in the senate by Mr.. OGorman, the
new senator from New York, who pointed
out the possible danger that might arise
through yielding to the views OF an old
world diplomat. Mr. o'Gorman did not
Indicate positive opposition to the treaties
written report ordered"
To meet the desire for more Information,
Senator Bourne entered a motion, which
the senate adopted, directing the commit
tee on foreign relations to prepare Il writ
ten report giving the fullest possible infor-
nation.
Both in committee and in the senate fear
was expressed that the ratification of the
| treaties would have the effect Of throwing
! oren the doors of arbitration to all the
questions involved in dealing with China
and Japan and involving immigration and
admission to the public schools.
Senator Borah and other western sena-
/ tors pointed out 10 the foreign relations