The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-18
OLD TREATY IS OFF

CONTINUED from Page One.l
treaty with Russia because of that
| country's refusal to recognize the
properly accredited passports of Ger
tain American citizens, he is insistent
] that it be accomplished without af-
front Tt is generally conceded that
under no circumstances will the Sulzer
resolution passed by the house be ae-
cepted by the senate.
Only one set speech was scheduled
for today, that of Senator Raynor of
Maryland, urging the adoption of some
| resolution breaking the international
undertaking. Because of the general
interest taken it is said so many others
will demand to be heard on the sub
Ject the session may be run far into
| the evening.
Cabinet Session Called.
Washington, Dec. 18.-President
cabinet now in Washington to the
White House last night and conferred
with them from 10 O'Clock until mid
night or the Russian treaty situation.
Nothing was given out for publica-
ton at the conclusion of the confer
ence, but it is understood that the at
! tltude of the administration was finally
decided upon and the message to be
sent to the capitol outlined.
In the message, it is said, the senate
rogating the treaty of 1882, couched in
/ language that will not be offensive to
the St. Petersburg government
Attending the conference were Sec
rotary of State Knox. Secretary of the
Navy Meyer, Secretary of Agriculture
Wilson, Secretary of the Treasury
MacVeagh and Attorney General
Wickersham. Secretary Stimson, Sec
rotary Fisher and Postmaster General
Hitchcock are out of the city.
According to plans announced. Mr..
Tart will send two communications to
the capitol, one a message addressed
to the senate to be considered in ex-
ecutive session, and the other a letter
addressed to Chairman Cullom of the
senate committee on foreign relations.
In these communications Mr.. Taft, it
Is said, will call attention to the fact
that International relations are not
lightly to be dealt with.
Despite the advice of certain house
Republican leaders that the lower
branch of congress be considered in
the matter. President Taft was said to
be determined to ignore the house en-
tirely.
Senate leaders expect to hear that
the president, through Ambassador
Guild at st. Petersburg, already has
notified Russia of the impending abro-
CATION of the treaty. This notice is be-
lieyed to have been couched in the po-
litest diplomatic language and to have
stated that the American people had
come to regard the treaty as obsolete.
The expiration of the treaty is fixed for
January /, 1913.
Can Do 1t Himself.
President Taft is said to have taken
the ground that if he chooses he can alb
rogate the treaty by executive decree
without waiting fer action either by the
house or the senate. He is supported
in this view by various members of the
senate committee on foreign relations,
and is said to base his attitude upon
presidents.
According to information received by
senators, Mr.. Taft in his communica-
tons will dwell upon the friendly rela-
lions that have existed between the
United States and Russia and will say
of 1882 seems deSira bic, the friendship
between the two nations is of too long
standing to be lightly brushed aside.
Mr.. Taft, it was said, would point out
that Russia, because of her friendship
with the United States, had listened to
Americas proposal of peace in the war
with Japan.
Those protesting to know the presi-
dents purpose also said that he would
call attention to the fact that the Uni
ted States levies head tax upon every
Russian subject who enters this cOun-
try, and would not for a minute en-
terrain a suggestion by Russia that the
right to levy the tax was debatable.
In his speeches on the arbitration
treaties President Taft has expressed
the view that each country has a right
to say who shall and who shall not
enter her domain.
1t was generally believed that the
senate would solve the problem by
adopting a resolution of abrogation,
couched in strictly formal language. Be
fore this can be brought about how
ever sessions of the foreign relations
committee and the senate itself were ex-
pected.