New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-11

by Senator O'Gorman. who holds 70 the
opinion that It would be impossible TO Sc
cure an impartial tribunal TO decide the
question. as members of the court,
whatever their country, would be on the
ground OF nationality disposed to be hos
tile TO the contention OF the United States
Senator O'Gorman takes the view that the
question of tolls Is domestic matter and
as such does not come under the Senerai
treaty OF arbitration with Great Britain
at all.
Senator McCumber. member Of tho
Committee on Foreign Relations, VINO was
strongly opposed to the canal bill ana
takes an extreme view Of the question
did not hesitate to make the prediction
that the Senate would never approve
'compromis" submitting the tolls ques-
ton to The Hague. by the same vote
by which the canal bill was passed" said
he. "the Senate will refuse TO submit the
question TO arbitration. The treaty was
violated when the bill was passed. There
will be no hesitation in violating the
treaty again"
In the Senate the impression prevails
by the Wilson administration II 1t IL not
disposed Of automatically before March
4. For the present, at least, Senator'S on
both sides of the chamber are disposed to
regard the protest az presenting diplo-
matte rather than a legislative problem.
Conflict Over Treaty Interpretation.
II no agreement is reached diplomati-
Cally the question Of submitting the ques-
ton 10 the Hague court Will undoubtedly
result IN prolonged discussion in the
Senate. on the general question OF arbi-
tration Senators Of both parties arc dis
posed 10 proceed cautiously. Senator
Bacon, who will be chairman Of the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations after March
T. is OF the opinion that the case is COW
cred by the general treaty of arbitration.
Senator Lodge was inclined TO take the
same view. admitting that there vas a
difference Of opinion over the interpreia-
ton OF the Hay Pauncefote treaty.
The suggestion that the arbitration
treaty with Great Britain be allowed to
expire or that II be ahrogated found little
favor with Senators OF either party. SEN
ator Lodge further pointed out that IL
the Hay-Pauncefote treaty were abro-
gated the Clayton Bulwer treaty must he
abrogated as well. otherwise the earlier
convention would remain In force.
The conservative view IS. of course, that
this government must consent TO arbiua-
ton If other methods OF adjustment fail.
Senator Burton, while expressing the
hope that II would not be necessary TO 80
beyond the ordinary diplomatic channels
said IL seemed incredible that The Senate
should refuse to consent TO the submission
OF the case TO The Hague Court. Senator
Lodge also insisted that II was OF the ut
most importance not to place the United
States in such a position that the imputa-
ton OF bad faith and ignoring treaty OBJ
legations would lie against II.
Senator Root maintains now. as he has
all along, that the United states cannot
in honor decline to srbitrate II all diplo-
matic negotiations fail.
Representative Stevens. ranking Repuo-
lioan member OF the Committee on Inter
state and Foreign Commerce, said to-
night that the British protest vas 1usu-
fed and that the provision granting free
tolls TO American ships in the coastwise
trade WAS clearly In contravention or the
Hay. Pauncefote treaty.
Representative sulzer. Governor-elect OF
New York. made the protest the occasion
for. another and vicious twist OF tho
tail Of the British lion, from which his
attention has been largely distracted since
the close of the Boer war