The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-23
Mexican Policy Subject of
Bitter Debate In
the Senate
BITTER FEELING OVER
KILLING OF BENTON
Discussion of Execution Follows Rat
ilication of Peace Treaties With
Powers-Administra Will
Try to Keep Lid On

Washington, February 2s.-Important
International as we'll as domestic prob.
lens still confront Congress. notwith
standing the Senates ratification yes
terday of general arbitration treaties
with eight foreign nations The for-
eign relations committee of the senate
win be busy for sometime as the treaty
with Nicaragua is before Il now, and
the Colombian treaty Is expected to he
s. omitted at any time by the Secre-
tary of state.
In addition TO these affairs. the for
eign relations committee is charged
win the duty of upholding the Pres
dent In tn policy toward Mexico. and
whe her II can restrain any longer sen.
ators who favor a more aggressive poll
ICY even TO the extent of armed in
tervention is a question. Saturday an
outburst of open agitation with regard
to Mexico only was aVerted by n pre-
vious agreement of the Senate to pro-
coed immediately to consideration of
the arbitration treaties in executive
session. When the treaties had been
ratified the execution of the British
subicct, William S. Benton, by Mexican
rebels preeipitated discussion behind
| closed doors,
Free Tolls Confront Congress
Administration leaders will seek To
Keep "the lid on" in Congress so far
as Mexico is concerned. but bitter feel
ing over the killing OF Benton. II is
feared Will make it impossible to re-
strain senators and representatives OF
border states. particularly. from voic-
ing their opposition to the "watchful
waiting policy of the government.
'she foreign relations committee has
before ii complete arbitration treaties
negotiated with Great Britain and
France and Secretary Bryan's plans to
nd to the Senate in the near future
the peace treaties he Is negotiating
with all the powers. Already certain
gaelv llavs been signed. 1.hetlpr tAg
senate committee will report these
| treaties at the present session OF Con-
sross is deemed doubtful. but action
on the Nicaraguan and Colombia treat
les will be urged as soon as possible.
With all this work before 1t, the
committee urges speedy Stlettlon OF a
successor to the chairma nship made
| vacant by the death of Senator Bacon.
Senator Shivley, acting chairman, is the
second ranking democrat on the COM
mittee but Senator stone of Missouri,
ranking member. who has been ILL., is
expected To return to his duties this
week The Missouri senator, his friends
assert. wants the chairmanship, and
democratic conference may be called 10
adjust changes in committee organi-
zation that will be necessary.
Will Continue Work
1,epeal of the free tolls provision of
the Panama canal act also confronts
Congress. President Wilson Is expected
| to send word to party leaders this
week as to bringing this issue directly
before Congress. Democrats ready 10
| support the President and repeal the
| tolls clause are encouraged over the
ratification of the treaty with Great
| Britain. but those who oppose II still
! insist that ratification of the British
| treaty will not affect the situation.
Senator O'Gorman declared tonight the
| treaties had no relations TO the tolls
| Issue. lie intends to oppose any effort
| that may be made to settle the issue In
party caucus. Some senators and rep
rcsentatives believe "A caucus In both
| branches will be essential.
| Senator Morris of Nebraska. plans to
| cal UP tomorrow his resolution to d.
rect the Attorney General to communi-
cate all facts relating TO pending ne
gotiations between the department OF
justice and the New York. New Haven
and Hartford railroad. Senator Clapp
has an amendment to direct that no
negotiations be concluded as to the
separation of the Boston and Maine
from the New Haven system until the
proposed agreement has been submitted
t. the Senate for it's information
Will Try to Keep ''Lid" On
IN both branches Of Congress com
Inittees will continue their work OF
snupina antitrust legislation. The Sen
ate committee on Interstate commerce
expects to perfect its draft of the inter-
state trade commission bill during the
week.
1t will he several weeks before the
trust programme is ready for general
debate. Meanwhile appropriation bills
win occupy both the House and Senate.
tomorrow the Senate VIII begin con-
isderation of the postoffice bill. al
liberation of the postoffce bill, al
Olives an issue over the proposal to