The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1912-07-12
BRITISH CHARGE ASKS TIME TO
PRESENT NOTE o.!
THE SUBJECT.
REASONS ARE NOT STATED
Extraordinary Situation Confronts
Congress, Which Feels Panama
Legislation Must Be Enactet This
Session.

session.
Washington, July 11.-Gro9' Bri-
tain's request for a postponement of
the canal legislation now before con-
gress until formal statement can be
filed against the proposed shil toll
provisions is likely to have little eff
feet in delaying the passage Of the
canal bill, according to leading mem
bers of the senate.
Members Of the senate in:el -oce-
anic canals committee, who discussed
the situation today, declared tn IL there
would be no backing down" by the
senate from its position in favor of
free passage of American shiIs.
The committee has never yet been
agreed upon that point, howeTel, and
there is wide divergence Of opinion
in the senate as to the rights of the
United States under existing T. eaties.
Many senators who do not believe
the United States has the right to
give free passage to America coast
wise trade think the treaty terms
could be met by rebating to American
vessels the tolls they might lay.
Impossible, Says Senator Lodge.
Senator Lodge, ranking memt er of
the senate committee on foreign af-
fairs, declared any further Ctlay in
the consideration of the Panama ca
nal legislation was impossible. He
declined, however, to discuss any final
opinion on the right of the United
States to grant free passage 20 it's
own ships under the existing treaty
with Great Britain. Senator Brande-
gee, chairman of the canals commit
tee, will make an effort to have the
Panama canal bill brought before the
senate as unfinished business . soon
as the Lorimer case has been dis
! posed Of.
1t is doubtful, however, whether
the senate can reach the bill before
the British statement arrives
Many senators said today that
! Great Britain's representations would
be given full consideration
Great Britain's request that the
enactment OF, the Panama canal ad-
ministration bill be held in abey-
ance until Mr.. Innes, the Britf$h
charge, can present note in behalf
Of his government, confronts ccr gress
and the state department with an ex-
traordinary situation
The request for delay has bee I COM
municated to the senate inter-c ceanic
canals committee. 1t came from the
summer embassy at kineo, Me, late
yesterday, and was sent by Mitchell
Innes, the charge, acting for Ambas-
sador Bryce, who is in New ICELAND.
While the reasons for the request
are not stated in the charges note,
there'is no doubt that the British gov
ernment is concerned in the clause to
grant free passage throug' the
canal to American vessels in coast
wise trade. and in the article relating
to the passage of the railroad owned
ships. The Canadian railways are
deeply concerned in both, aud it is
thought that some Of the representa-
tions will be made in their Lelalf.
The canal bill is now in the senate
committee with prospect of being
reached very soon, and will then go
to conference with the house
Lawmakers at both ends OF the cap
itol feel that if any Panama legisla-
tion is to be had it must be at this
session OF congress
Senator Brandegee has replied to
the state department that the legis-
lation proposed is regarded as eX-
tremely urgent and that the senate
committee had planned to report the
canal bill to the full senate some
time next week.
Canadian Ships interested
One of the provisions in tho bHI
made it impossible for Canadian ships
to pass through the canal if ihey en-
gagged in coastwise trade Then the
question of free tolls to certain class
es of American ships involves the old
question of the Hay -Paunceforte
treaty.
1t is believed that the British gov
ernment will hold that ships of all ma
tions must be on an equal basis. The
opinion among many America states
men is that to. grant free tolls to
American ships is not a violation OF
] the Hay -Paunceforte treaty terms.