The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-08-30
UNCLE SAM IS NOT
READY TO SHOW HAND
Regarded as Certain, How
ever, Canal Toll Matter Will
Not Go to The Hague.
ARE MANY LOOPHOLES
Favored Treatment of Ameri-
can Ships in Nowise Affects
Great Britain's Commerce.
ARE MANY LOOPHOLES

"AoHiNGTON. Aug. 29.-Althoueh
the state department will authorize no
statement TO that effect, II is understood
here that the administration Will de-
cline to permit the question Of the right
OF the United States to relieve hts own
shipping from tolls in the Panama canal
TO go to arbitration. This position Of the
government. IT is said. may not be de-
veloped fully for some tinle,
While the British protest delivered
yesterday, clearly intimated a purpose to
demand an arbitral decision in the event
that more careful study OF the Panama
canal toll act bore out the impression
that 1t is In violation of the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty, IL the usual course in diplo-
matte exchange is followed, many argu-
ments and counter arguments must be
submitted on both sides before the re-
sources Of diplomacy would be exhausted,
thus warranting a demand for arbitra-
ton.
Foundation for Demand.
The British foundation for such a de-
mand rests upon the broad basis Of two
special treaties between America and
Great Britain, in addition to the great
Scueidl SouSculloIl CiSdlihb 1hC iioSoO
tribunal and binding ali parties thereto
to adjust their disputes by recourse to
its methods. The first OF these treaties.
the Hay -Pauncefote treaty. in its third
article declares that there shall be no
discrimination against any Of the nations
obeying the rules of the canal. and in It's
fourth article asserts that no change OF
territorial sovereignty shall affect the OBJ
legation OF America and Great Britain
under the treaty.
The second special treaty. made four
years ago, binds each country TO submit
to The Hague tribunal any difference
that may arise relating to the interpre-
tation OF the treaties, provided that they
do not affect the vital interests, the In
dependence or tho honor" of the parties.
On its face. a British demand FOR arbitra-
tIon on such basis s generally regard
cd TO be sound and beyond discussion.
American Viewpoint.
From the American viewpoint there are
TOO many loophole5 for escape from the
British contention and these may he ex-
pected TO develop In the negotiations
In the first place. II may be contend
ed that the admission Of American coast,
wise traffic to free passage IN ine caha, Ina,
CONSTITUTES gr,,,s no snppIns ISs%n ESistnR law
permits no foreign bottoms to transport
American coastwise commerce and Brlt-
ish vessels could not be employed TO
carry goods from New York 10 San Fran.
ciaco through the Panama canal even II
thcy were completely relieved from tolls
as will be the American coastlns tTane;
Thus, it ls figured. IT. cannot be clainea
that Eritisn commerce is affected one
waV or another by this favored treatment
of American ships.
Another American argument is that,
owing to the acquisition ng , apSeJd aSn Iay. ".
Pauncefote treaty no longer applies 10 II.
that convention being itself aNo,daple
under the principle OF internauonei iaw,
uhich makes ireatys life depend upon
,ha continuation Of conditions upon which
II is made Back OF this contention now
ever lies the danger or toss on the WHORE
neutra IizatIon feature of the Hay-faunce-
fote treaty.
Avenue of Escape.
third argument against arbitration
Is found In the fact. admitted IN the sen
ate debates. that nowhere WonIn ~ ue
possible TO secure unoiaseo ar 1In6s
hacause every mRratime country 1inos
it's Interests In opposition TO Inc rfn1Ira hmes-
lean contention OF n right OF discr'n'na-
| tion in the use of the canal;
| Tho avenue OF escape IL the Uniteo
s.atss really desires To avoid arbitra tion.
| Sa ~, he found 1t is declared. IN article
q ~ the arbitration treaty or l9os' Wnic5
affords an opportunity TO the United
States senate to take hand In the set'
| flernent of such an issue
That article makes It a PreIeaui,s1,os
shail conclude special asree11aims re 1isputs ae7
nnlhs s,,,. m,rst be approved by the SON
s1s ana tse s5 i,iTi thnt II the senate takes the
View ne;t Tntfir Of n ths tho uso o
| inaht las as u did lest session II may
nevept Inc Gnn arbitration by declining to accept
prev eina.Iai eproouent" satisfactory tc