New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-04
10 appear.

&
10 appear.
Berlin, Sept. 5-The privileges accorded
by the Panama Canal act TO American
vessels engaged in the coasting trade are
a violation OF the HayPauncefote treaty.
according 10 Wilhelm Kaufman. the
well known professor of international law
al Berlin University.
In an article published On to-days
/ "Berliner Tageblatt" in which the pro-
/ fessor deals point by point with the con-
troversy. ne says that in many respects
the United States is entitled 10 impose
/ compensatory dues or exclude entirely
! the ships Of nations which pay subsidies
and thus violate the conditions OF entire
equality provided for by the treaty The
/ exclusion OF railroad-owned shipping IT,
he says. justified. because those vessels
are practically subsidized.
/ washington Sept 5.-Three separate
and distinct lines OF action are open 10
/ the British government in dealing with
/ the problem raised by the passage OF the
| Panama Canal tolls act IL is assumed
! here that u is because there is more than
\ one available avenue by which the British
/ Foreign once can seek relief that IL has
announced that the notice OF an appeal
/ for arbitration is premature.
/ President Taft has indicated one meth
cd by which the problem may be at
tackled Congress. however, did not think
well Of the suggestion. That was 10 in
clude in the act a provision giving juris-
J.
/ whether the act constituted q discrimina-
ton against British shipping in violation
/ OF the Hay Pauncetote traty. This sug-
gestion may yet be adopted al another
session of Congress
/ Another means q dealing with the Brit
| ish grievance would be TO allow any Brit
| ish ship owner 70 test under existing law
before any United States court his night
10 use the canal under the treaty on
terms OF equality with American ship
owners. Chairman Adamson, OF the
House Committee on Interstate and Fer
eign Commerce and many Senators and
other Representatives have declared that
II British rights have been infringed there
was already a remedy IN the statutes
4 The last avenue OF relief Is arbitration.
though many publcists have held that
owing 10 change OF sovereignty over the
Canal Zone and other events developed
since the Hay-Pauncetote treaty Great
Britain has no actual right 10 demand ar
bitration.
As the canal cannot be opened for q
year and half there will be ample time
for the British Foreign ONCE to decide
which method OF relief shall be employed.
Possibility OF complications with Great
Britain and other maritime nations over
the operation Of the Panama Canal was
anticipated at the session Of Congress Just
ended by the House Interstate Commerce
. Committee. which introduced bill In the
dying hours OF the session aorogatinE the
free tolls" provision. which is virtually
the only phase OF the new law 20 which
any objection is made. The bill, which
viii be called up when Congress recon
venes In December is said 20 have the
approval not only OF the majority OF the
House Committee, but also unofficially o'
a majority OF the Senate committee. The
measure would repeal absolutely the
clause giving free passage through the
canal 10 ships OF American register IN
the coastwise trade
An attempt was maze IN the Senate 10
include also American ships trading with
foreign countries. but so much opposition
was raised that the provision was stricE-
on out in the conference between the two
houses
The grant OF free tolls 10 coastwise YES
sells was not MADE by the House Com
mittee. but was put through the House
itself o. narrow margin and accepted
by the Senate. Leaders In the House
where the Panama Canal bill originated
are confident that the amendment Will
pass They feel. also. that the Senate
will agree.