New-York tribune., 1911-02-03
THEDAyIN WA ASHINGTON

ference IN the price OF wheat between Ca
madam and American points during period
of wears. In the retirement Of Mr.. Nc
Cumbers colleague Senator Purcell Demo
craO, and the qualification OF Senator
Gronna as his successor, the agreement has
probably lost a vote. for AIr. Gronna is an
extreme insurgent or course. Senators
Hepburn and Hale and q few others will
vote with Senator Ia Toilette and Cum
Minis and the rest OF the insurgents who
oppose the administration in its efforts 10
reduce the cost Of living But thus far
the prospects of getting n vote on the
agreement in the Senate az this session are
far from bright, and what viii he its fate
in the next session, when the insurEent
strength is increased, IS decidedly problem
aticaI
THE IIONDURAN TREATY.-There Is
still some hitch which is preventing tho
completion of the contract whereby a firm
OF flnancers is 70 refund the Honduran
debt, provided tho Senate ratlfies the treaty
recently submitted 10 IL. and until that con
tract is signed and sent TO the Senate the
Foreign Relations Committee will take no
action on the convention. In his special
message transmitting the treaty the Presi
dent told the Senate that he would also
submit the contract that the Senate might
be enabled TO judge of the fairness of the
financial arrangement. AS Well aS Of tho
general advisahility OF the convention. II
there is much more delay. however, il Will
be Impossible 10 secure consideration by the
Senate at this session. one OF the ques-
tons which is puzzlinE Senators just now
is how Honduras can, without actually i'm
poyerishing her citizens. raise sufficient
revenue TO meet the interest on il2Ga o00
loan and provide sinking fund well.
II i pointed out that ii that country were
to default, this government would probably
become responsible. as the convention is
regarded sS practically an Endorsement OF
the notes of Honduras These questions
are raised by the Republicans So far as
the Democrats are concerned, they are op-
posed TO all interference or even participa
tion, by the United States in the affairs OF
the other republics on this continent
DISAGREE WITH WOOD-A somewhat
sharp difference or opinion has ar1sr1 be-
tween General Leonard Wood, Chles or
STAFF. and other members Of that nody over
Il would be wise so 20 change the law as
to permit Of two-year enlstments, Instead
OF three years. as Is now required. General
Wood takes the ground that shorCer mill
tary service would result in more men PASS
ing through the army. 80 10 speaH, giving
a greater number some measure or military
training and thus providing a larger body
Of fairly well trained men TO be drawn on
in the event Of war General Wool ras
suggested this idea 10 the Military Affairs
Committee of the House. but there is no
probability that il will be adopted. TIE
experiment. when tried several years aSc,
proved failure. II was impossible 10
secure re-enlistments enough 20 keen the
army up 10 tho required strength. General
Wood believes that would not be the case
now that the pay has been increased, but
the committee argues that one OF the rea-
sons advanced for an increase OF pay was
the dpsirablity OF having an army OF wen
seasoned men. Some Of the generals as
sociates in the War Department belie'e
IL would he wiscr 10 extend the period
Of enlistment. going back 20 the old plan
of fivc-year enlistments. That would be
achieved only with the greatest difficulty,
however. so that there ia little probability
of legislation IN either direction.
PAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE. - Al
the indication point TO great success for
o.. American Commercial Conference.
.., ..,. n-ld here February Is TO IS Thus far
assurances have been received that ninety
one commercial organizations and 29S firms
and individuals will be represented. Some
organizations are planning 10 send large
delegations The Worcester (Mass) Cham
her Of Commerce. for instance, expects 20
send a delegation Of one hundred members.
John Barrett, director OF the Pan-American
Union. is devotng his energy 20 this con
ference. which is. perhaps. ample assurance
OF its success. on the first day the cor
ference will be addressed by the President.
the Secretary of state Representative
Champ Clark. senator Root, President far-
reu. OF the United States Steel Corpara-
ton and others. After that day the meet
ings viii he informal and no set sddreSSe5
are expected. but II is planned 80 have th"
discussion cover wide range Of subjects.
Political questions viii bo avoided and no
resolutions will ho adopted. o. 9. II.