The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1912-12-26
CANADA AND THE CANAL.
(St. Louis Globe Democracy.

(St. Louis Globe Democrat)
A larger part of the solicitude OF
the British ministry concerning PAN
anna canal tolls is perhaps explained
by the energy displayed in railway
building In western Canada. For
many months past, double tracking,
extensions and the displacement Of
lighter with heavier steel rails west
ward from the great wheat fields of
Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan,
have marked an anxiety to get more
perfect running arrangements to Van
couver by the time, or soon after
when the canal shall be opened to
navigation. The Canadians are vital
ly interested not only in the proposed
regulation discriminating in favor of
United States coasting vessels. but
Also If not equally, in that provision
denying the use of the canal to yes
sells owned in whole or in part by the
transcontinental railway lines. The
Canadians have gone on record as OPP
posing our reciprocities. No doubt
they are even more strongly opposed
to our discriminating
Sir Edward Grey seems to touch
but lightly upon this phase of the
controversy, but it is, in all probable
ity, the gravamen of his entire dispute
with us. The proposed discrimination
could hardly initiate against British
along our western coast. 1t could not
affect 1t anywhere along eastern or
western coasts Of South or Central
America or in western Canadian ports
No doubt there has been protest
in England against the acceptance of
the regulation and such q protest |
would naturally be echoed by the 9th |
err commercial nations of Europe, all |
VI WHICH nave Il common interest, IL |
would seem, in making our national
their international property,
without the payment of price of any
kind. But there is no commercial or
maritime nation in Europe with such
q vital interest in the abrogation Of
The rule as the Canadians undoubtedly
have
Any such interest, wherever located,
IS without standing in equity or in
precedent. The British position denies
he soundness of long recognized and
accepted principles of action in fixing
he obligations Of private owners Of
designed and intended for
public use. In fact. the rules and
equations guaranteeing equality of
service and rates can be taken as APP
'lying only to foreign vessels. rail-
way corporation leasing any part of
is lines to another company invaria-
ly reserves privileges to itself as to |
lights of way for designated trains /
nd adjusts its time and running |
to its own uses more than |
. the uses of the lessee. which must
dust itself to the lessons conven-
'nce. TO push the British position
, its reduction ad absurdam II
'ould deny the United States the
ght to discriminate IN its own de-
'nse In the use. of the canal in time
war. Sir Edward Grey evidently
res this weakness i'm his reasoning,
nd seeks to get away from It by for
ally conceding our right to fortify.
, to which. he SAYS, no protest will
} offered, Really. q protest against |
ratification Of our property on the
thmus would be little more unten-
de than one which protests against
discrimination in tolls In favor Of
merican ships plying only in the
merican coast trade We imagine
r Edward to feey the Insecurity both
his premises and conclusions, and
9 suspect that the pressure which
is placed him in such weak posi-
IN is more colonial than domestic.