The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-23
Leaders Seek to Restrain
Advocates of More Ag-
gressive Policy.
FEELING AROUSED
BY BENTON DEATH
Representatives From Border
States Expected to Voice OPP
position to Further Watch
full Waiting"-Many I'm
portant Problems Still
Confront Congress.

Ha2ninBtOn, Fcbruary 22.--.inportant
International. as we'll as domestic prob
Ions stlll confront Congress, notwith-
standing the Senate's ratification yes
terday OF general arbitration treaties
with eight foreign nations. The For
Gign Relations Committee OF the SEN
ate Will be busy for some time, as the
s treaty with Nicaragua is before IL now.
and the Colombian treaty is expected
TO be submitted nj any time by the
Secretary OF State.
In addition to these affairs, the For
eigD Rotations Committee Is charged
with tho duty of upholding the Presi-
Gent In the policy toward Mexico. and
whether II can restrain any longer
Senators who favor n moro aggressive
policy even TO tho extent OF armed in
fervcntion is n question. Saturday an
outburat OF open agitation with regard
to Mexico only WAS averted by pre-
~ious agreement Of the Senate to pro-
coed Immediately TO consideration OF
the arbitration treaties in executive
session. When tho treaties had been
ratified the execution OF the British
subject. William s. Benton, by Mexican
rebels. precipitated discussion behind
closed doors.
Seek TO Keep "Lid On"
Administration leaders VIII seek TO
keep the lid on IN Congress- so far az
Mexico Is concerned. but bitter feeling
over tho killing of BENTON. IT Is feared,
will make IL impossible to restrain Sen
ators and Representatives OF border
States. particularly. from voicing their
opposition TO the "watchful waiting,
policy OF tho government.
Tho Foreign Relations Committee has
before II complete arbitration treaties
negotiated with Great Britain and
France. and Secretary Bryan plans to
send to the Senate in tho near future
the peace treaties he is negotiating
with all the powers. Already thirteen
pacts have been signed. Whether the
Senate committee Will report these
treaties 1T the present session OF Con
grcss is deemed doubtful. but action on
the N!caraguan and Colombian treaties
viii be urged az soon as possible.
With all this work before IL. the com
mittce VIII urge speedy selection OF
successor TO the chairmanship made
vacant hy the death OF Senator Bacon
Senator Shivcly, acting chairman. Is the
second ranking Democrat on tho COM
mittee, but senator stone. OF Missouri
ranking member. who has been III. Is
expected To return to his duties this
week.
stone Wants Chnirmanshfp
The Missouri Senator. his friends as
cert, wants tho chairma nship and a
Democratic conference may be called
20 adjust changes in committee organi-
Eatfon that Will he necessary.
Repeal OF the free tolls provision OF
tho Panama Canal act also copfronts
Congress, President Wilson is expect
cd to send word TO party leaders this
week as TO bringing this Issue directly
before Congress. Democrats ready to
support the President and repeal the
Tolls clause arc encouraged over the
ratification OF the treaty with Great
Britain. but those who oppose IT. still
insist that ratification OF tho British
treaty will not affect the situation.
Senator OGorman tonight declared
thn treaties had no relation to the tolls
that may be made To settle tho issue
in party caucus Some Senator'S and
Representatives believe n caucus in
both branches Will be essential.
Senator Norris. OF Nebraska plans
TO call up tomorrow his resolution to
direct the Attorney General to com
municatc all facts relating to pending
negotiations between the Department
of Justice and tho New York, New
Haven and Hartford Railroad. Sena-
tor Clapp has an amendment to direct
that no negotiations be concluded as to
tho separation OF tho Boston and Maine
from the New Haven system until the
proposed agreement has been submitted
TO tho Senate for Its information.
Shaping Trust Program.
Tn both branches Of Congress com
nttees will continue their work of
shaping antitrust Legislation. The SEN
Rtc Committee on Interstate Commerce
expects 70 perfect its draft of the In
terstnte trade commission bill during
the week.
II will be several weeks before tho
truat program is ready Tor general de
bate. Meanwhile. appropriation bills
will occupy both the House and SEN
ate. Tomorrow tho Senate will begin
consideration of tho post -office bill, al
ready passed by the House. This In
wolves an Issue over the proposal to
take from the Postmaster General au-
thority to mako any changes in the par
Gel post system without authority from
Congress
The urgent deficiency and the army
appropriation bills largely will occupy
the House this week, while the House
Naval Affairs Committee will take final
action on the naval appropriation bill. !
Success OF the administrations two !
battleshfp naval increase program Is
assured. so far as the committee Is
copcprued