Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-12
PLEAS OF ENGLAND
WON'T BLOCK LAWS
ON PANAMA CANAL
Request of Great Britain Con-
fronts Congress and State
Department With Most Ex-
traordinary Situation
nv Associated Press. }

WASHINGTON, July 11.--Great Brit
aims request for a postponement II
Panama canal legislation now before
congress until formal statement can
be filed against the proposed ship toll
provisions is likely to have little effc3t
in delaying the passage Of the canal
bill, according to leading members Of
the senate.
Members of the senate interoceaHic
canals committee who discussed the. sit
uation today declared that there would
be no backing down, by the senate
from its position in favor of free pass
age of American ships.
The committee has never been agreed
upon that point, however, and there is
a wide divergence of opinion in the SEN
ate as to- the rights of. the United
States under existing, treaties.
Many. senator's who do not believe
the United States has the right TO give
free passage to American coastwisc
trade think the treaty terms could be
met by ~rebating to American vessels
the tolls they might pay.
NO FURTHER DELAY.
Senator Lodge, ranking member q
the senate committee on lforeign af-
fairs, declared any further delay in tie
consideration of the Panama legislation
was impossible. re declined, however,
to discuss any final opinion on The
right of the United States to grant free
passage to it's own ships under the ex-
listing treaty with Great Britain.
Senator Brandegee, chairman of the
canals committee, will make an effort
to have the Panama canal bill brought
before the senate as unfinished busI-
ness as soon as the Lorimer case has
been disposed of.
It is doubtful, however whether the
senate can reach the bill before The
British statement arrives. Many SEN
ators said today that Great Britain's
representations would be given full
considera ton"
Great Britain's request that the en-
actment of the Panama canal admins
istration bill be held in allegiance until
Mr. lines, the British charge, can
present a note in behalf of his gov
eminent, confronts congress and the
state department with an extraordinary
situation.
The request for delay has not been
communicated to the senate inter-
oceanic committee. 1t came from the
summer embassy at hlnO.. Maine, latC
yesterday and was sent by Mitchell In
mes, the charge. acting for Ambassador
Bryce, who is in New Zealand.
While the reasons for the request are
not stated in the charges note, there is
no doubt that the British government is
concerned In the clause to grant a re-
pa ssage through the canal to American
vessels in coastwise trade; and in the
article relating to the passage of rail-
road-owned ships. The Canadian rail-
ways are deeply concerned in both and
it is thought that some of the repre-
sensations Will be made in their behalf.
The canal bill is now in the senate
committee with prospects of being re-
ported very soon and will then go to
conference with the house.
WANT BILL PASSED.
Law makers at both ends of the cap
itol feel that If any Panama legislation
is to be had IT must be at this session
of congress.
Senator Brandegee has replied to the
state department that the legislation
proposed is regarded as extremely ur-
CERT and that the senate committee
had planned to report the canal bill to
the full senate sometime next week