New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-28
ENGLAND WON'T PROTEST
No Action Now Indicates Ap-
peal to The Hague.
CONGRESS ACTION AWAITED
Nothing at Present on Which
Great Britain Can Base a
Grievance.
From The Tribune Bureau. 7

Washington, July 27.-Representations
made TO the Department of State to-day
by A. Mitchell lines. counsellor of the
British Embassy, that Great Britain
would file no protests against the plan Of
free Panama Canal tolls for American
ships at this time indicate q decision on
the part of his government TO refer the
controversy to the Hague tribunal II
LEGISLATION regarded inimical 20 the inter-
ests of Great Britain Is enacted.
Another protest against the legislation
pending in Congress. or an amplihcaton
Of the two remonstrances already re-
ceiyed. has been expected by officials OF
the State Department and members OF
Congress, but Mr.. Innes said that the
British grievances would be held In
allegiance until Congress had acted and
there was some definite ground on which
to base a protest
An Interpretation OF the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty and Its relation to legisla-
ton regulating the matter OF Panama
Canal tolls will probably be sought by the
British government. At the present time
il is admitted that any action would be
founded wholly on hypothetical premises,
as there Is still much diversity of opinion
among members Of Congress regarding
the proposed bill In view OF this FACT
il is deemed wise by the British govern
ment TO await the final decision of Con-
gress.
Throughout the recent controversy the
State Department has assumed the atu-
tude that 1t is powerless effectively to
negotiate with Great Britain on the ques-
ton Of Panama Canal tolls. because there
Is no actual basis on which to predicate
an exchange Of notes, the protests or the
British government being founded on eN-
pected legislation. However. officials OF
the department have been prompt TO
transmit TO Congress most OF the com
munica tons on the subject which have
been received.
Senator Root has argued that should
Congress grant free tolls to American
ships using the Panama Canal and the
Hague tribunal subsequently decided that
such action was in violation OF the terms
of the Hay Pauncefote treaty, 1t would be
incumbent on this government to refund
all tolls collected from foreign ships. as
the contention OF the British government
liz that there should be like treatment IN
the matter OF tolls.
There has been some talk OF POSITION
ing action on the Panama Canal bill 10
permit a settlement Of the controversy
with Great Britain, but 1t is not believed
that this will be done, now that there
seems TO be d probability Of the dispute
reaching The Hague. Senator Root takes
the position that the legislation now
pending is urgent and that there should
he no delay. although he would not object
to having the question Of the preferential
treatment deferred.
Senator Brandegee. In charge OF the
Panama bill. to-day gave notice in the
Senate that he would call up the measure
for further consideration Monday. lie
declared he would keep the bill before
the Senate until finally disposed OF. The
Archibald impeachment case. which vii
be taken up Monday, may interfere with
continued consideration OF the Panama
bill.