The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-18
Charge Is Made in Sen
ate by O'Gorman, of
New York.
DAY OF DEBATE
ON PANAMA BILL
Support for Provision to Give
Free Passage to American
Ships Is More Emphatic
Than at Any Time Since
Consideration of Meas
ure Began.

Washington. July Ex-senator O'Gor-
man. OF New York. charged in the Senate
to-day that railroad influence vas be-
hind Great Britain's protest asains,
the Panama Canal bill. and ne Joined
with Senator Lodge IN declaring that
the United states possessed full rights
under the British treaty to give free
passage to ships of American register.
These two speeches marked the debate
in the senate on the Panama Canal
bill
Both Mr. Lodge AMI Ny oGorman de-
clared that this nation vas not bound
by the EayPauncefote treaty TO give
foreign ships ali the privileges granted
American ships. Mr.. Lodse favored q
bill to rebate the tolls TO American
ships. however while Senator O'Gormau
declared Tho United States possess ed
the ~! right TO give American vessels
free passage II desired. Senator Lodge
conceded that Il the case Went to The
Hague court the United states VIII
probably lose.
Tho support to-day for the provision
giving free passage 70 American sn!ps
against which Great Britain has pro
tested. was more emphatic than AZ any
time since tho Senate began consider
alton OF the bill Nj O'Gormln. Mr.
Cummins and others declared that II
the United states mad to consrrue the
treaty literally in giving the ships OF
all nations equal treatment j, would.
By other terms OF the treaty. he pre-.
vented from defending the canal in case
Of war.
40 Right TO Stop Fleet.
~ Japanese fleet appeared at the
western end OF the canal" said Senator
Reed. OF Missouri bent upon passing
through 70 attack the city q. New
York. the United States would have no
right. under such constru -,ion of the
treaty. TO tnke any steps against it"
Senator Burton. OF Ohio, ,vno made
tho arst speech Monday in support ..
tho British theory that the United
States can give no special privileges to
Us own vessels declared war would
suspend the operation 81 the treaty.
Senator McCumber. however in a
speech to-day against the free provis-
ion. conceded that II was his belle: the
canal would have TO remain neutral
even IN time OF war and that the United
States would Dc forbidden by The Hay
Pauncefote treaty from taking any
measures TO blockade or use the canal
for its own protection
Senator O'Gorman declared that rail-
road Influence was behind the British
protest Il 40 not think British ship
ping is greatly Interested" he said
II believe the railroads Of Canada and
the railroads OF the United States have
been able TO secure the cooperation OF
the British Office OF Foreign Affairs ia
enlharrass this government in the at
tempt We are now making 10 secure
legislation TO keep railroad controlled
ships out OF the Panama Canal
The only government that has as
sumCd any SrGciaf burden
treaty is the United States" said SEN
ator O'Gorman England and other
countries have assumed no burdens be
yond the payment OF the tolls and the
agreement as to the terms of its neu-
tral!ty.
England Cnn Remit Tolls.
There is nothing to proven; Eng
iand from renittins to its merchant
ships every dollar OF tolls paid the
Panama Canal There is nothing TO
prevent similar action hy other coun-
tries. The only power tina, is tram
meled. restricted and curtailcd in the
performance OF its duties 10 its ow,
citizenship is the one that has srent
S+oo.ooo.o0o in the construction OF this
great enterprise"
He said Spain already has leE.slated
TO reimburse Spanish ships for the
tolls spent in going through our
canal he added.
Senator Lodge raised the question
whether the United States would have
n right to interfere II another countrv
should undertake 10 pay the tolls Of its
SHIPS when passing through the canal
NO foreign country, he said could
Interfere with any arrangement tho
United states might make for the nav
ment OF tolls. 'a'
III any government should under.
take TO do SO. l. for one would pro.
test he added