The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-12-10
TO REPLY TO BRITISH NOTE
Secretary of State Gets Down to
Careful Study OF English
Objections
MATTER FOR HAGUE TRIBUNAL

today got down To a careful study
of the objections raised by Sir I'd
ward Grey to the Panama bill Knox
viii prepare reply To the British
note, submitted to him last night. IL
win be In the same friendly tone AZ
was Grey's communication. entirely
lacking In any elements of belliger-
ency Today at the regular cabinet
meeting the subject was up for infor-
mai discussion by President Taft and
mis- official family.
Taft Favors Arbitration.
IL is known the president does not
regard the subject as one affecting the
vital interests OF the United state
but rather as Of purely pecuniary con-
sequence, and therefore not among Inc
prohibited subjects mentioned in the
existing special arbitration treaty with
Great Britain. Therefore. while the
result may not be reached immediate
ly, II is probable IN the end the ad-
ninistrstion will mold that the aues-
ton Al issue is clearly an arbitrabie
one.
The next step will be 10 negotiate
with the British ambassador with a
view To preparing a draft OF the
agreement specifying the matters Ia
be arbitrated This necessarily will
40 10 the Senate for approval The
administration has no assurance the
Senate will approve such an agree
ment but 10 Is understood the pres'
dents attitude is bound by the arpit
ration treaty and he feels II his dutS
20 assume any responsibility and pass
that obligation along 10 his successor
II is said the president feels mat should
the Senate withhold approval OF any
arbitration agreement he VIII haN'
maintained his record as a consisteI
advocate of the principle Of settlemer'
of international disputes by arbitra'
ton.
London Press Comment
London, Dec. i0.--The newspaper
today sill refer 10 the Panama cana
question. The Pail Mall Gazette. Con
servative. says.
"Grey's dispatch should provide am
ple grounds for return TO paths oI
fair dealing"
The Westminster Gazette, Llperai
declines To believe the prophecy GA
bled from New York that II arbitra
elA hA
states Senate would refuse II.
We cannot conceive difhcultN
more nicely suitable To arbitration pN
The Hague tribunal"
ENGLAND Submits Canal Protest.
Washington, -. c. Dec. lO.-Grea
Britain's formal note of protest agaihS
that section of the Panama canal a'
which eyempts American coast"N'
shipping from payment ot Tolls ''
passing through the Panama canal,
document written by Sir Edward Grey
British minister for foreign aHai's
was presented to the secretary ot sta'e
Phlander G.. Knox. last night by 'h'
British ambassador, James Bryce Wh'
read the note word for word To 'h
secretary at the latters home 1t Is ~
elaboration of the points Of obJecti"'
Ia the note presented To the state ue
partment last July In brief tn" 90
iections are.
That while II was clearly In Vi"ia
ton Of the Hay Pauncefote lrea'
either To remit or refund tolls on 81
American shipping using the canal wv
same objection probably would apr
10 the coastwise trade shipping III N'e'
of the probable impossibility oi ira",
ing regulations that would not fea"'
In preference to American shippihs'
la addition To supporting 'heS
points by long arguments. Sir Edwar'
Grey indicates clearly that strong IT.
aistance will be offered to any at'e'hl'
IN exclude from the canal Brush sh'p
owned by Canadian railroads or wh"s
owners may be guilty OF Vioiatihs w
sherman anti trust act. lie hoius '"'
this section of the act cannot apply I
British shipping but only to un''e
States vessels.
lie also indicates that underlying w
objection To the exemption from 'oH
American coastwise ships Is an apP''
hension that IN the future the pri''''P'
might be extended to cover America
ships In the foreign trade.
Otherwise the note lie devoted az