New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-20

elgn power We ma an enemy sup III NV
canal we cannot chase it out, and II II
leaves such waters we must wait twenty
four hours before giving chase. Beihs
given under Article III "the exclusive right
of providing for the regulation and man
agement of the canal" II engaged In war,
our warships, finding themselves In the
canal, must chase themselves out.
Such Interpretation is reflection upon
the general intelligence Of the community
and we can we'll understand how the states
men of other nations hold their tongues
in their cheeks at our gullIDihty anu our
desire to begin charity abroad. Ana YET
such ridiculous Interpretation is loslcai
sequence TO an unqualified reading OF sec
ton !, Article III.
This is not I'm any sense an overdrawn or
ingenious Interpretation, but the only one
possible under the circumstances. You
know that every effort was made through
foreign influence upon American pubic
thought TO give the impression that
we were prevented from terrifying the
canal on account OF some provision sup
posed to be inherited from the Clayton
Bulwer treaty of 1850. though Article Oh
the Hay-Pauncefote treaty says;
The high contracting parties agree tnat
the present treaty shall supersene tne dlo6o
mentioned convention Of the 18Th APRIL l''V'
The Clayton Bulwer treaty, which was
shanelessly violated in spirit and letter ny
Great Britain, contemplated canal not
through Panama at all. but through TER
ritory alien TO both contracting partle''
But the Panama Canal Is through our TER
,itorv. under our own nag, and Is paid Tor
by us as a nation.
or course even though the Hay-Pauhce-
fote treaty does not forbid our doing as
Wa wish with our own, IL should be aoro-
patod "a a matter OF national self-respect
For 60 long az this treaty exists, we &C
KNOWLEDGE two masters for the canal zone
and the delegation TO us Of the sovereignty
OF the zone under Article III OF the Pan
anna treaty Of 1903 is without force, as
under ALI definitions In international law a
divided sovereignty under our flag should
be impossible. SO little real attention IS
directed to this important subject ana lac's
are so muddled. that the idea Is gaining
ground that there is no difference IN the"
respective effects upon the national econ
omy between the Panama canal ana the
Ambrose Channel
The idea that this canal will be used oy
vessels that never reach our ports, roster
ing trade in direct competition with ours
Is carefully kept silent. As the best ara
fullest use Of the canal for several years
will be by foreign vessels. why not let
these vessels. which, from our inadequate
equipment Will reap the greatest pr"hI
and develop their own countries trade a.
our expense, pay charges in proportion 10
tho advantages obtained?
II NAV be found necessary TO write OFT
the cost OF the canal. and 20 be content
for nj least number Of years 70 pay OPP
Grating charges OF all kinds. and by a sur
fax 10 raise sum for insurance against
accidents such as caused by earthquakes
or otherwise, renewals and wear and tear.
The surtax should be levied on passengers
or goods which do not come from or go TO
United States ports.
There is no question in any ones nina
rs 10 our right to prefer our coasting YES
sells in their use Of the canal, such prefer
ence being within the constitutional power
Of Congress TO regulate commerce. such
constitutional regulation we have exercised
from the beginning, and our coasting TRACE
IS prosperous and the building OF coastng
vessels. with naval orders. keeps alive our
shipbuildlng industry. To force coasunS
vessels to pay the toll OF vessels IN the
foreign trade will be TO put tax on IN
terstate commerce in time OF peace. and
should he abhorrent to all who believe IN
removing shackles from such trade.
We see our dependency upon the oceans
progressively increase. and while we ran
at monopoly on land we look with COM
placency upon the growth OF an all power
rul monopoly on the seas in the ships OF
our commercial and political rivals ana IN
the arts and accessories Of navigation.
The spooner act provided for the building
q, the canal, but not for its operation, so
that action at once by Congress is impera-
tive.
A nlan OF control. including the physical,
such rs upkeep and operation. sanitary
fiscal and civil such as local taxation.
schools. courts and police. must be pre-
pared. 80.
But IN the adjustment OF tolls We snaII
see the greatest measure OF good or Ill Tor
the merchant marine. So absolute is our
dependcnce now that only the most drasuc
and compelling measures can restore our
marine. so that every factor must be util-
lied.
A new school has developed OF late which
considers It impolte and boorish for us
10 assert our rights. and which believes
charity should begin abroad.
II there be Americans, so called who are
not willing TO aid IN the rehabilitation OF
our merchant marine through differential
tolls, that Is a question for their conscience
alone. but do not let them quiet that con-
science by believing that any treaty stands
I'm the way Of our prefcrring our own.
LEWIS NIXON.
NTov