New-York tribune., 1912-07-16
United States Obliged to Sub
NIT Treaty for Interpreta-
ton, Says Senator Root.
MAY REQUIRE TEN YEARS
Government Might Have to Re-
fund Millions if 1t RENTS
Tolls on American Ships,
He Tells Senate.
Lrrom The TrIbune Bureau.l

"
of the controversy between the United
States and Great Britain over the ques-
tion of the Panama Canal tolls to the
Hague tribunal and the framing Of
legislation the effectiveness Of which
shall be contingent upon its decision
appeared to be the probable solution OF
the problem raised by the protest oi the
British government, according 10 lhe
view taken to-day by the Senate.
Senator Root delivered an impressive
warning to his colleagues to proceed
cautiously in the matter He pointeu
out that the United States was ohll-
gated by the general treaty of aroitra-
tion with. Great Britain TO submit the
ouestion-involving the Interpretation
of q treaty-to the Hague tribunal ana
that by remitting tolls 10 American
sbins this government would lay itseh
open to the possibility Of being oruseo
20 refund all of the tolls collected from
foreign vessels aggregating many mill
ions Of dollars. during the time 'he ae-
cision is pending.
As a compromise, therefore between
the proposition advanced by the adVo-
Gates of free tolls and the demand th@t
the Senate adhere to the letter OF the
treaty. an amendment will probably be
offered providing that tolls be collected
from American ships the sams az from
those Of any other nation, TO be refund
cd in case the decision OF the tribunal
is favorable TO the United States.
Miqht Lose Canals Income
Senator Root, in a brief address IN
which he took the position outlined oy
Senator Burton in longer speech that
q was the policy Of the United states
that the ships of all nations should Do
treated alike, asserted that by favor
ing American ships over those OF 0ther
countries the United States would run
the risk of losing all the income from
the canal for several years
IT should be reluctant" he said 10
contend against a position this govern
ment would be obliged to take IL thls
hill were enacted into law. and shall
not address the Senate at length in ac-
cordance with the notice / gave out
several weeks ago, after which the
British government filed it's protest
The question is plainly one that
comes within the general arbitration
treaties and should be submitted TO the
permanent court Of arbitration. This
may be a long proceeding. 1t may re-
quire three or five or even ten years,
and II the decision he adverse 10 this
government we may be called upon %
refund the tolls collected from all for
eign vessels during that time. We
Il have no right 10 place such drain
Y upon the Treasury"
Senator Stone suggested that consid-
Grafton Of the bill might be postponed
until the next session of Congress. In
reply Senator Root said that it was
urgent that the Panama Canal legisa-
ton be passed as soon as possible. but
agreed that It would be we'll for the
Senate TO eliminate the questions IN
controversy with Great Britain and
dispose Of them later.
Most Of the Senators present ap-
peared 10 take the view of the Senator
from New York, that whatever legisla-
tion is adopted should be framed with
a view 10 the settlement Of the con-
troversy By the Hague court Sena-
tors Bacon, Williams and Smith, Of
Georgia, on the Democratic side. and
Senators McCumber, Burton and others.
on the Republican side indicated by
their inquiries that they were Of this
opinion. The insurgent Senators, Bris-
tow and Cummins. were the only ap-
narent defenders Of the free tolls pro-
vision.
Senator Martin indicated by an in
ouiry that there was disposition on
the part Of many Democrats TO abro-
gate the -Pauncefote treaty If 1t
we're possible. Senator Root said there
was no justification whatever for the
United States to do this.
Must Observe Letter of Treaty.
Senator Burton, a member Of the
Committee on Foreign Relations,
opened the debate on the canal bill.
He insisted that it was the duty Of the
United States TO observe the letter OF
the treaty, and quoted from the mes
sages Of former Presidents, including
Theodore Roosevelt. and the notes OF
Secretaries Of State TO show that 1t
had always been the policy Of the
United States TO insist upon the same
treatment for vessels Of all nations In
the use OF waterways Of this character,
and was the policy at the time the Hay
Pauncefote treaty was signed.
Senator Burton said clear enuncia-
ton Of American policy was laid down
after controversy in 1888, when the
United States, after threatening retail
alton by a Congressionally authorized
proclamation, was accorded access TO
artificial waterways north Of the Ca
madam boundary line on the same
terms as the Dominion citizens. He
contended that American policy should
not change like a Kaleidoscope to suit
changing interests. He agreed that an
execution might be made in the inter-
est Of American warships. He said he
rooarded the canal enterprise as COM