The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-03-28
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, March 27.-[Special.1-
While 1t was the desire of the admin
istration to have the Colombian treaty
ratified at the special session Of the
senate, the sudden adjournment of the
special session without action upon the
treaty probably means that Ii will be
renewed when congress assemblies on
April l6 While the house Is trying TO
organize, the senate will take up the
treaty and secure a vote upon 1t.
II the present treaty fails 1t is un-
derstood that a new agreement will be
negotiated in which the amount OF In
demnity TO be paid to Colombia will
be reduced by a considerable amount
and that the language which was re
garded as an apology to Colombia for
the action of the United States govern
ment In 1908 will be modified to such
an extent that Republicans will be
willing to vote for 1t.
Opposition viii Continue.
There will still be opposition, because
n great many men in the senate believe
that no apology is due the South Amer
lean republic for what was done In
1903 and that those in control OF the
republic OF Colombia made a great
mistake In rejecting the Hay-Herran
treaty which was under consideration
at that time. At the same time there
Is n considerable element who believe
that Colombia was not fairly treated
and in order to settle the question an
indemnity of ten or fifteen millions
might not be out OF place.
The Canal Situation.
There Is nc doubt that the purchase
of the Danish West Indies for $50, 000,-
600 was for the purpose OF strength
ening the United States In the Carib
bean sea and TO give this country con
troll Of the in%teroceanic waterway.
The Panama canal, which was built
largely for the purpose of making
more secure the military position Of
the United States. has in some respects
proved "a disadvantage owing to the
fact that 1t requires costly fortified
tons and the presence of n naval force
at each end In order to protect it.
Concessions to Colombia.
But, having embarked upon this great
undertaking. il appears To be the duty
OF the United States to strengthen IT,
position and to insure absolute contro,
OF the canal at almost any expense.
by making concessions TO Colombia
n paying a portion OF the demands
OF that country in the way of an in,
demnity IL Is quite probable that the
position OF the United States will be
made more secure, For that reason
there seems little doubt about the final
ratification OF a modified treaty IN case
the present treaty should be rejected
In fact. there were limitations made
that a vote was desired during the
special session upon the treaty as
drafted a few years ago in order that
n new treaty might be made IL the
senate refused to vote for the $4,000
600 indemnity and the apology.
Clark May Be Speaker.
Speculation continues in regard to
what will happen when the house of
representatives meets, but there Is rea-
son TO believe that the assertion made
several weeks ago by Champ Clark
that he would again be reelected
speaker may be fulfilled. Ever since
the November elections In 1916 doubt
has continued, and both sides have
been making claims, but 1t has been
apparent that the claims were based
upon guesses as TO what certain indie
pendents would do when the Sixty
1fth congress assembled.
Must Be a Test Of Strength.
Even IL the Republicans had their
full complement of members there is
still some question as to whether a suf-
ficient number of independents would
vote with them or whether all of their
members would vote for the nominee
of the Republican caucus. AS the mat
ter stands now 1t looks as IL there
will have to be a showdown and a
test of strength before any definite
conclusion can be reached. Under pres
ent conditions 1T would seem that the
Democrats have a little the best OF the
situation, and 1t Is a fair prediction
that Clark will be chosen.
Taking Care of New Men.
The Democrats in the senate when
they named the committees paid par
ticular attention to new men, or at
least quite a number of them. Senator
Jones of New Mexico and Senator Ger
~ of Rhode Island were given posi-
tons upon the finance committee, q
distinction seldom accorded to new
senator's. Senator King of Utah and
Senator Wolcott of Delaware We're
placed upon the judiciary committee,
n of the four leading committees of