The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-07-18
DELIVERS STRONG
SPEECH IN SENATE
Lodge of Massachusetts, Be-
lieves Question Will Go to
The Hague and That This
Country Will Lose.
By International News Service

piontng the distinctly ATneTl-
NM can side of the Panama canal
Wv rate controversy as against the
British arguments OF Senators
Root and Burton, Senator O'Gorman Of
New York this afternoon made an unan-
swerable speech and In many OF his con-
clusIons was supported by Henry Cabot
Lodge, ranking Republican member Of
the foreign relations committee.
Mr.. O'Gorman asserted that Canadian
and American railroad influence was the
power that caused the British foreign
office to precipitate this controversy and
that II was born OF a desire on the part
Of the transcontinent railroads to con-
troll the transportation through tho ca
nal,
The president also took a. position SIM
liar to that OF the New York senator.
During the day he told a number Of his
callers that ho had absolutely no doubt
Of the right OF this government to grant
free tolls. not only to American coast
wise shipping, but to ships OF American
registry engaged in the foreign trade
o 'Gor7nan S Statement.
II have talked In vain II my PROPOSE
tlOD Is not Clearly unueTSIDOO IL lb
simply this: Under the terms Of our
treaty with Grent Britain, the United
States ls In exclusive control and exer
cises absolute power over the Panama
canal subject only to the right of for
eign nations to the use OF the canal for
purposes of transit without discrimination
among them. Therefore the rules adopt
ed by the United States do not Include
the United States. The treaty itself
makes a distinction between the creator
Of the rules and those required to OBJ
serve them
This was the declaration of Senator
OGorman after he had discussed the
British protest and the canal bill eX-
haustively and senators began asking
him questions.
Senator Lodge who presented the re-
port on the HayFauncefote treaty to
the senate when that convention was
considered. declared in the course OF his
remarks that he was Of the opinion at
the time, and still was, that the treaty
left the United States In complete control
In determining It's policy toward AmeH-
can ships. Tho policy Of the United
States toward its own ships was do
mestic question, Mr.. Lodge said, that
was no business of any other power,
View of Lodge.
In response to queries, Mr.. Lodge de-
clsred his belief that the treaty would
have to go to The Hague tribunal, and
added that it was foregone conclusion
that the decision would be against the
United States. because OF the adverse
interest OF tho other powers in the con-
troversy.
There is nothing in this treaty" said
Senator O'Corman, In beginning his re-
marks, that prohibits England or any
other European power from remitting the
tolls paid by her shipowners In any way
they please. In some of the arguments
advanced In this chamber, 1t has been
attempted to show that the only restdc-
tion anywhere is placed against that
country that has expended $500. 900. 900
of its money in this great enterprise.
If this view is correct, the American
people may well exclaim that their rights
We're not adequately protected when the
Hay Pauncefote treaty was negotiated.
"Fres tolls for American ships Is an
American doctrine. 1t means lower cost
of transportation. freer and cheaper food
and the development OF the country. We
are against the railroads placing their
hands on the canal and making IL a part
OF their corporate assets.
Accuses Railroads.
Great Britain, in taking this stand. |
must have been moved ny some peculiar
impulse. / believe that the railroads OF
Canada and of tho United States have
been enabled to secure the co-opration OF
the British foreign office to embarrass this |
government In an attempt now being |
made to enact legislation that will keep
railroad owned ships off this canal. that |
competition may thrive and that that wa |
terway may not be handed over TO the |
railroads that have Destroyed competition |
wherever they have controlled water
transportation routes"
III the rule with regard to American |
ships was to bo applied, as had been con-
tended by Senator'S Root and Burton. Mr.
O'Gorman said. all the other rules would
have to be applied the same way
"Who Is there who asserts he asked,
that We are not at liberty, for the de-
fense OF the country and in the protection
CONTINUED on Page Two.l !.