New-York tribune., 1912-08-26
British Newspapers, in Com
ment on Presidents Action
in Affixing Signature,
Use Harsh Words.
.uONOR MUO.BESPATTERED'
Writer in "The Daily Mail
inquiries What the World
Is to Think Now Of
Americas Arbitra-
tion Proposals.
rRy Cable to The Tribune. ]

London. Aug. 26.-'The Times" The
Standard" THE Daily Mail" "The
Morning Post" and The Daily EX-
moss all attack President Taft for
signing the Panama Canal bill. "The
Times" saws: should the text Of the
bv bear out upon examination our
view that il gravely violates our clear
rights in a matter Of first rate impor-
,ance We shall renew our representa-
,,ons 10 Washington. and should these
unhsppily fail to bring about a salts
factory settlement we shall appeal 10
.rbitration under the treaty OF l"S
and request that the whole controversy
n tbe proper construction. scope and
hssring of the canal treaty he referred
10 The Hague for decision
we absolutely refuse to contemplate
the idea that America will refuse arpi-
ration. Ii is hardly credible after so
preaching arbitration to others they
should cynically decline to ADOPT II
where il concerns themselves. Such
refusal would inevitably create an in
disposition on the part of all seli-re-
specting nations TO enter into con-
tractual arrangements with state
which reserved to itself the exclusive
right Of interpreting the measure Of its
own obligations.
An that can be said for the present
is that the law still appears to be in
compatible with the plain meaning OF
tho rIav-Panucofntc treaty. The
President is asking the members Of
Congress to make themselves judges
IN tbeir own case. which IS also his.
The step is more remarkable il the
statement is correct that Mr. TAFT dc
,ires foreigners in certain circum-
stances 10 have the right to appeal 10
The American courts.
"Thc Daily Mail says: president
yaft's memorandum on the bill must
10 the despair of all who seek the
millennium in arbitration and the de-
light Of those who prophesied We'll for
his o-reat scheme for the regeneration
II mankind. The memorandum con-
tsins not a single reference to an "p-
neal either 30 arbitration or t. the Ia"
courts A year ago President Tart
moved the world 10 admiration by pro-
POSING an arbitration treaty. what Is
the world 10 think of this propose"
now 1t might have been cNcusaDlc
merely To attach his signature. but MI.
Taft did not scruplc TO give the bil
his attention in memorandum when
was worthier of petufogging soi'c'-
Tor than the chief az . great republic
The Standard says: 1t would. in
deed. he unfortunate if the magnificent
scheme which IS calculated to beheht
mankind i'm general proved to he '"tiie
and the cause Of international bicker-
ing.
The Morning Post" pointing out
nat if The United states desires 10
encourage its own shipping it can do
o by decent bOunties, says: Expert
ence may vet bring tho United states
&c understand that credit is Vdlua-
is dearly bought when it is acquired by
The loss of the worlds confidence.
The Daily Express in an editorial
headed "Dishonorcd." declares that The
protest of the American press has been
splendid vlndication Of the honor of
the American people, but that the sig
nature will remain a blot on the Re
Iublics reputation.
IT IS Iamcntablc," THE Daily EN-
press" continues, that Mr. Taft Is not
strong enough to resist the politicians
and act in accord with the call OF ma
tonal confidence. All English-speak-
hg nations must view with sorro" 'he
sight Of the United States dragging It's
honor mud -bespattered before the
world in the long run America VIII
M the sufferer. Honesty among ma
TONS as among men remains the DeSt
1Olicy"