The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-07-27

Article 7 of the ClaNton-RulWer
treaty contained the following pro-
vision:
The governments of the United
States and Great Britain hereby
declare that neither the one nor
the other will eve obtain or
maintain for itself any exclusive
control over the said ship canal.
agreeing that neither VIII ever
erect maintain any fortiiica-
tions commanding the same or
in the vicinity thereof. or oc-
cupy. or fortify, or colonlZe. or
assume. or exercise any dominion
over Nicaragua, Costa Rica. the
Mosquito Coast. or any part ~
Central America.
When the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
was superseded hy the HaN-faunce-
fote treaty the provision quoted above
uas nullifed. The United states
thereupon reassumed the right
which it never should have rnlln-
u~uished-to ohtain and maintain ex-
elusive control over the
canal. 10 erect and maintain forum
cations commanding the same. n
To assume and exercise dominion over
the canal territory.
Great Britain has made no protest
whatever against the fortitica1l"n of
the canal. thereby giving proof of ac-
nuiescence in the notification OF the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty.
The United States exercises do
nainion over the canal zone, and is
In fact the sovereign, as is shown
by the following provision of he
treaty with Panama:
The republic of anama grants
to the United States all the
rights. power, and authority
Within the zone mentioned and
described which the
United States would possess and
exercise if it We're the sovereign
of the territory to the
entire exclusion of the exercise
hv the republic of Panama of
any such sovereign rights. power.
or authority.
It is held by some senators that
Panama retains sovereignty over the
canal zone. giving the United States
only the right to exercise the powers
of sovereignty. But as Senator Reed
clearly expressed it. Il do not know
how YOU can have a Reputation Of
all acts and powers of sovereignty
and ut the same time retain sou
.%reisnty."
Having sovereign power over the
canal zone. it is the right of the
United States to deal with the canal
as ii p~leases, including the granting
If passage to American coastwise
%shippinG free of tolls. And if Great
Britain should demand an arhitra-
lion of the question of tolls, it would
he the duty of the United States To
refuse to submit the matter to arbi-
tration. because the canal zone is n
part of our coast line, wholly within
the sovereignty Of the United States.
The only remnant of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty that survives is the
provision for NATURALIZATION of the
canal and the equal treatment of all
nations oheying the rules adopted by
the United States. Great Britain did
not join in making these rules. They
were adopted solely by the United
States, for the purpose of treating all
nations alike. When this duty is per
formed, there is no further treaty
obligation, and the United States is
free to deal with it's own ships as it
pleases. 1t will not admit foreign
ships into our coastwise trade. and so
long as they are excluded il makes
10 difference to them whether our
ships are taxed or passed free. There
a be no foreign competition in the
coastwise trade. 1t is an American
monopoly. as it ought to be.
1t is gratifying to note that sena-
tors are beginning to assume a firner
attitude OF the canal question. The
f1rmer they are the better they will
represent American sentiment. so
long as the United States treats all
foreign nations alike it is acting in
perfect good faith with all the world,
and IL there are any special benefits
to be given to American shipping.
American commerce, the American
army, and the American navy through
the operation of the Panama canal,
it is the plain duty of congress to see
that these benefits are given. There
fore. the attempt by Great Britain to
interfere with the domestic business
Of the United States or with legisla-
ton in its behalf should be entirely
ignored.