New-York tribune., 1918-06-12
Senate Will Vote
On Secret Treaty
Measure To-day
Agreement Reached on
Borah Proposal to Force
Public Negotiations

WASHINGTON, June 11.-An agree.
ment was reached in the Senate late
to-day to vote at 1 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon on the proposal of Senator
Borah, of Idaho, for public considera-
tlon of treaties, an amendment to the
Underwood resolution to limit all de-
bate during the war.
Senator Fall, of New Mexico. called
attention to newspaper reports that
Justice brandeis, of the Sunreme
Court, and Colonel Edward M. House
were advising the President as to a
war declaration against Turkey and
Bulgaria, and declared that, if true. it
indicated Irregularities in the conduct
OF the governments diplomatic al
fairs. The report, he said, had not
been denied.
POINTING to resolution pending be-
fore the Foreign Relations Committee
for war declarations against the two
enemy allies, Senator Fall said that
harmony between the legislative and
executive branches is essential, and
that if the President cannot cooperate
with the committee it should be re-
organized.
"The State Department apparently
is not in the good graces of the White
House, for some reason" Senator Fall
added, saying he dared" to express
his opinions because. he believed the
time opportune.
Senator Fall told of the Administra-
tion's refusal to impart to the Senate
information regarding the progress of
diplomatic relations with country
which he did not name.
Isn't that the most secret kind of
secret diplomacy?" asked Senator
Knox, of Pennsylvania, inquiring if it
were not in conflict with the princ-
Piles recently outlined by President
Wilson in Congressional message.
"The fundamental weakness witt,
the present Administration" replied
the New Mexico Senator, "is it's refu-
sal to take the people of the United
States into its confidence relative to
negotiations with foreign nations"
Further than that, he added, the Adj
ministration's absolute refusal to i'm
part to Congress facts asked by Con-
body from legislating intelligently in
number of cases, but Compelled it
to follow blindly the dictum coming
from the White House."
Senator Rorah vigorously eontended
that his proposal was in accordance
with President Wilson's statement in
his address of January s for "open
covenants of peace openly arrived at"
Challenging the Idaho Senator's con-
struction, Senator Hitchcock declared
it "preposterous," and said the Pres-
dents words were aimed at the general
European practice of making secret
treaties without informing the people.
This construction also was maintained
by Senator Smith, of Arizona, Of the
Foreign Relations Committee, while
Senator Hitchcock added that it was
not to be presumed that peace treaties
should be made in public hall"
Senator Hitchcock asked if in Senator
Borah's opinion, the President meant
that the negotiators should sit ain
The presence of newspaper men and
the galleries, in carrying on negotia-
tons"
"That is precisely what the President
MEANS" was the reply.
"That goes beyond any reason that
can possibly discuss with the Sena-
tor" replied Senator Hitchcock.
81 am following the great moral
leader of the world now," Senator
Borah answered..
Declaring the Presidents speech
spoke for itself. the Idaho Senator de-
clared Senators opposing, his amend
| menu WOulQ nave W uuu SOIuc OeHcA
reason for voting against it."
"Have you any information that the
President has changed his mind?'
asked Senator Gallinger.
"No," answered Senator Borah, land
don't believe he has"
at will be a very unusual circum.
stance if he hasn't" answered Senator
Gallinger.
Referring to negotiations conducted
by this government in connection with
the purchase of the Danish Islands in
the West Indies, Senator Borah sale
the first intimation people in this
country received regarding the treaty
came when the terms of the agreemen,
were openly discussed in the Englisl
and Danish press. Senator Fall sale
the treaty was discussed in ,botf
Houses of Congress and was subject
to a referendum in Denmark.