The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-18
O'GORMAN OPPOSES ENGLAND PROTEST Charges Railroads Behind Action of Great Britain  SUPPORT IS EMPHATIC Lodge Believes If Case Went to Tire Hague the United States Would
 Lose-Magnates Deny
 the Charge
SUPPORT IS EMPHATIC

Washington. July f7-Senator O'Gor- man of New York charged in the Sen ate today that railroad influence was behind Great Britain's protest against the Panama canal bill, and he joined with Senator Lodge in declaring the United States possessed full rights un- der the British treaty to give free pas sage of ships of American register. These two speeches marked the debate in the Senate on the Panama canal bill.
 Both Mir, Lodge and MT. OGoman de- clared this nation was bound by the Hay Pauncefote treaty to give foreign ships all privileges granted American ships. MT. Lodge favored a bill to re- bate the tolls to American ships how ever. while Senator O'Gorman declared the United States possessed the full right to give American vessels free passage. if desired Senator Lodge con ceded that if the case went to The bly, would lose.
 Support Is Emphatic
 The support today for the provision giving free passage to American ships, against which Great Britain has pro- tested, was more emphatic than al any time since the Senate began consider ation of the bill. MT. O'Gorman, Mr. Cummins and others said if the United States had to construe the treaty Iit- orally in giving the ships of all nations equal treatment, it would, by other terms of the treaty be prevented from defending the canal in case of war.
 If a Japanese fleet appeared at the western end of the canal" said Senator Reed of Missouri, bent upon passing through to attack the city of New York. the United States would have no right. under such a construction of the treaty. to take any steps against it."
 Senator Burton of Ohio. who made the first speech in support of the Brit sh theory, declared war would sus- pend operation of the treaty
 Senator McCumber. in a speech today against the free provision, conceded 1t was his belief the canal would have to remain neutral. even in time Of war. and that the United States would be forbidden by the Hay -Pauneefote treaty from taking any measures to blockade or Nse the eafst. for its own protection
 Senator o4sorman declared rallreed influence was behind the British pro-N test.
 Railroads the Power
 q do not think British shipping Is greatly interested" he said q believe the railroads of Canada and the rail- roads of the United States have been enabled to secure the Cooperation of the British office of forsign affairs to embarrass this government in the att tempt we are making tS secure legis- lation to keep railroad Controlled ships out of the Panama canal
 "The only government that has as- sumed any especial burden under the treaty Is the United States" said Sen ator OGorman. "Englahd and other countries have assumed no burdens be- yond the payment of tolls and the agreement as to the terms of it's neu- trailty.
 There Is nothing to prevent Eng land or other counties from renlittlng to it's merchant ships every dollar of tolls paid the Panama canal The only power tramme1led. restrflted and cur tailed in she performances of its duties tc its own citizenship Is the one that has spent s40e, ,ooo.oeo in tne eonstrue- tion of this enterprise
 He said Spain already legislated Ito reimburse Spanish Ships Ifor the tolls spent in going through oIur canal,"s
 Senator Lodge raised fthe question whether the United states lwould have a right to interfere if anokher country should undertake to pay tte tolls of it's ships when passing throu4h the canal. No foreign country, he said, could inter fere with any arrangement the United States might make for the payment of tolls.
 If any government should undertake to do so. l for one would protest he said