Imperial Valley press., 1912-09-06
WORLD ALLIED AGAINST
j. S. ON PANAMA TOLLS

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6.-Fore-
warned by the British protest and not
dissuaded by the announcement of
the foreign Office that the reports of
her Hague intentions concerning the
Panama canal bill are premature, the
state department has made an exhaust
i've analysis of political and CONNER
cial conditions now surrounding the
nations that are party to the Hague,
with view to determining the prob
able status of the United States in
the controversy.
In other words. Uncle Sam is study.
ing the list of jurors which may be
called upon to try his case.
Primarily, the Hague was designed
to try cases between nation and ma.
ton. In the canal case it would be
the United States against the world.
The result of the study has not been
reasSuring. 1t has strengthened the
department in the view that the tolls
question is one for the United States
to determine alone and it is safe to
predict that the Hague will never sit
on the case.
Ii has developed the fact that in
the nature of things. but three nations
represented in the Hague could occupy
position of absolute neutrality. These
are Paraguay and Switzerland. two
inland countries, and Bolivia, which
has practically no maritime commerce.
The inquiry has developed the re-
markable fact that J. P. Morgan, an
American, by setting patriotism be
hind him and keeping only to the com
mercial interests involved. has it in
his power to combine with England
and dominate the world, as represent
ed in the Hague, in settling the ques-
tiOn of canal tolls.
In the lineup of nations, there is first
the triple alliance, Germany, Austria
and Italy. Germany is the dominating
factor in these nations and Germany,
through the kaiser, is largely inter-
ested in the Hamburg American pack
ct line, which, a year ago, made ap-
plication to pass through the canal 20
reach German trade on the west coast
of South America. Germany would,
through her trade relations, largely in.
fiuence the Hague parties of the west
coast, and her influence is largely DOM
mating in Brazil, where there are large
German settlements and where the
United States now has a bitter coffee
controversy.
Great Britain and Canada would be
closely allied against the United States
because of the restrictions in the ca
nal bill against railroad owned ships.
and because of England's objections
to free passage to American ships
To strengthen this opposition. Great
Britain has the following tendrils of
influence:
The British-Japanese treaty for of
fense and defense
The British-Russian treaty Of special
alliance.
The British domination of Norway
and Sweden through treaties and reign
ing family connections.
The large British holdings in Argen-
tina, complicated by the desire of Ar
gentina to use the canal to reach
China and Japan as a market for her
meat and cereals.
The British dominance of Greece.
combined with her dominance with
Russia Of Persia.
Through Russia, a dominance of
France, through the FrancO-Russian
tre"ty CT loans.
These great influences could almost
be offset by the power of one Ameri-
can. or welded in combination with
England into irresistible strength if
commerce and not sentiment is al
lowed to dominate. Morgan is heavily
interested in the Hamburg-American
Packet line, with the German emper-
or's connections. and is also interest
ed in the British steamship lines.
With this influence as a nucleus. he
can reach into Central and South
America, where he has been made a
powerful figure through the floating Of
syndicate loans.
1t is not expected that there will be
any further move from the British for
eign Office until after the next session
of congress, at which England hopes
there will be legislation amending the
canal bill. Before the question can
reach the Hague, this course must be
sanctioned by the senate.