The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-09-06
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eral Topics from
the Capital.
Washington, September 3, 1912.

W lNhlh-Nph' CNINCLhbCl ~ - -
AS the officials OF the State Department
never have believed that Great Britain
would seriously seek to carry the Ques-
ton OF Panama Canal tolls as fixed in the
recently-pas bill to The Hague Court
of Arbitration, they were surprised and
incredulous at the London dispatch print
ed in the morning papers today asserting
that the British Government had forward
ed notice to US that it would appeal to
The Hague.
They thought there was a mistake
about the matter and therefore were pre-
pared for the official contradiction of the
morning report which came later in the
day. The officials have not believed
there would be a move on the part OF
Great Britain to carry matter OF free tolls
for our Coastwise trade to The Hague be-
cause the British Government does not
quite care 10 invite rebuff and the Brit
ish authorities are well aware that neither
the Administration nor the Senate ever
would consent 10 submit to arbitration
the question of these tolls.
The British authorities are as well in
formed "a any one in Washington of the
unCompromSng attitude Of this Govern
ment on the question. and it is believed
here that Great Britain never will 80 fur
Their than seek an adjustment by means
OF diplomatic negotiation or by urging
British shipowners who think their inter-
estS are iniuriouSlv affected by the fact
that our coaStwise shipping through the
canal is charged no tolls TO look for re-
dress by such appeal to our Courts as
they may be able to make
Tn. ADMINISTRATION, ,pJ ,,,De+ % t,a
members of the Senate are firmly con-
WINGED that Great Britain hasn't leg to
stand on in her protest against the pro-
visions Of the Panama Canal bill. BY no
possibility can British OF other foreign
ships enter our COastWse so long as our
shipping laws remain as they are. Hence
there is no possibility that British or 9th.
er foreign ships can be injuriousy affect
ed by the fact that our CoastWise ships
are permitted to pass through the canal
free of tolls.
The question IS looked on by the Adj
mniStratiOn and in Congress as absolutely
a domestic one, and there is an end Of it,
| Great Britain knows this rs well as
| Washington does. ard it is believed here
| that Great Britain VIII not ask the United
States to submit the question to arbtra-
| ton Whatever the British authorities do
| h., ,yav ~ nrotsst Til ha dove il i s1r.
,,3;.ad bara for nnI,,;r,I affect at ho,,,a
ln smooth tba rp}II.d f.Iings of tba vast
sbinnirg Interests in The eropire and &C.
net,aIly the combined shinnino and rail
road interests or Csn7d, + i the latter
intr ll. sts the 4dn1in;s,ra,ion is Conyin-
c ,sd that have s,irrad nm most If The taei-
in,I ON nh tba 1nastio,7 '''U'' y '''N
0mdon Sent "a comnIate disa-
,ouaI i Gi,,er tbis ,,,or,;na h., The For.
e;gn Oa;ca If th me-. so.cailadd off;r;a1 an.
,GT,,ncgr,ent that The Pr;tisb C,nrernn," ont
would fHrn,,iIv dnr,ond arb;tration on
tha P5nan,a Canal tniis QUESTION ..Tba
Iinas of ac,ion Which lie before tba BIT.
ish Corarnr,ant are nou, heino cons,d.
arad and anv arno,Inre,,-nf nf the LIND