Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-07-18

(By Morning journal SPECIAL Leased wire.l
Washington, July II. - Senator
OGorman of New York, charged ii
the senate today that railroad influ-
ences was behind Great Brtains pro-
test against the Panama canal bin and
he joined with Senator Lodge In de-
claring that the United States posses
sed fun rights under the British
Of American register.
These two speeches marked the
debate in the senate on the Panama
canal bill.
Both Mr. Lodge and Mr.. O'Gorman
declared that this nation was not
bound by the Hay Pauncefote treaty
to give foreign ships all the privi-
leges granted American ships. Mr..
Lodge favored a bill to rebate the
tolls to American ships while Senator
O'Gorman said the United States pos
sessed the full right T. give American
vessels free passage if desired. Sena-
tor Lodge conceded that if the case
went to The Hague court, the United
States probably would lose.
The support today for the provis-
ion giving free passage to American
ships was the most emphatic since
the senate began consideration Of the
bill Mr.. O'Gorman. Mr.. Cummins
and others said that if the United
states had to construe the treaty lit
n Ui,, no chinc of .tlI
tions equal treatment would by the
terms Of the treaty be prevented from
defending the canal in case or war.
If a japanese fleet entered the
western end OF the canal, said Sena-
tor Reed bent on passing through
TO attack the city of New York, the
United States would have no right
under such construction of the
treaty to take any steps against it,
Senator Burton, of Ohio, who made
the first speech in support of the
British theory that the United States
can give no special privileges to its
own vessels. declared war would sus-
pend the operation of the treaty.
senator McCumber, however, in a
speech today against the free provis-
ion conceded that it was his belief the
canal would have to remain neutral
even IN time of war ana that the Unit
ed States would be forbidden by the
Hay Pauncefote treaty from taking
Immediate measures to block or use
the canal for its own protection.
senator O'Gorman declared that
railroad influence was behind the
British protest.
Il do not think British shipping is
greatly interested" he said. Il be-
leve the railroads of Canada and the
railroads OF the United States have
been enabled to secure the co-Opera-
tion OF the British office of foreign
affairs to embarrass this government
IN the attempt we are now making
TO secure legislation to keep railroad
controlled ships out of the Panama
canal
The only government that has as
Sumed any special burden under the !
treaty is the United States" said SEN
ator O'Gorman. England and 9TH
er countries have assumed no bur-
uens beyond the payment of the tolls
ana the agreement as to the terms of |
its neutrality.
There is nothing 10 prevent Eng
iand from remitting to its merchant
silps every dollar of tolls paid the
fanama canal. There is nothing to
prevent similar action by other coun-
ules- The only power that is tram
i'led' restricted and curtailcd in the
performance of its duties to its own
.'uzenship, is the one that has spent
s4Vo 100000 in the construction of
'his great enterprise.
tie said Spain already had legs-
iated to reimburse Spanish ships for
'ols spent in going through our ca
senator Lodge raised the question
whether the United States would have
d right TO interfere if another coun-
'ly should undertake to pay the tolls
VI us ships when passing through the
oahnl No foreign country, he said
could Interfere with any arrange
menus the United States might make
i'I the payment of tolls.
II any government should under
"Ne 10 do so l for one would pro-
lest, he said. l.