The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-14
ENGLAND FILES PROTEST.
OUTLINES OBJECTIONS TO RE-
MISSION OF CANAL TOLLS TO
AMERICAN SHIPS.
IN Note To Knox, English Foreign
Minister Sums Up Differences Be-
tween Two Countries. Taft Anx.
tous To- Close.

aims formal note OF protest against
that section OF the Panama canal act
which exempts American coastwIse
shipping from payment OF tolls for
passing through tho Panama canal,
document written by Sir Edward
Grey. British minister for foreign af-
tAns' was presented to p. c. Knox,
secretary of state. tonight by James
bryce. the British ambassador.
Ambassadors Boyce read the note
word for word to the secretary n,
tne iatters home. 1t Is an elabora-
uon OF the points of objection In the
note presented to the state depart
ment last July In brief these objec-
tions are
That while II was clearly In VIOLA
uon OF the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
either to remit or to refund tolls ON
all American shipping using the
canal. the same objection probabl
would apply to the coast wise trade
shipping In view OF the probable i'm.
possibility of framing regulations that
would not result In a preference to
American shipping.
In addition to supporting these
points by long arguments Sir Edward
indicates very clearly that strenuous
resistance will be offered to exclude
nom the canal British ships owned
y railroads or corporations whose
swners may be guilty Of violating the
sherman antitrust act. He holds
apply to British shipping but only 70
That this section OF the act can NOT
United States vessels.
He also indicates In his note that
underlying the objection to the ex-
smption from toll Of American coast
vfss ships is an apprehension that
I'm the future the principle might he
extended to cover American ships In
the foreign trade.
Otherwise the note IL devoted a..
most entirely to an effort to Demon
strate that any such exemption OF
American shipping as Is proposed is
In direct conflict with the terms of
the Hay-Pauncefot treaty and that
president Taft was clearly wrong
when he took the contrary view.
Generally. the British note might
DO submitted as clear definition
or the differences between inc two
governments regarding the construc-
ton Of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
winding up with proposal that the
t'sns ssaf1 be settled by arbitration
Ssvvfde~ that II can not be adjusted
by mutual agreement. for which
way remains open.
Secretary Knox listened attentively
% the reading OF the note and PROM
hed TO take the matter under careful
consideration. which he felt would re-
euire some time. IL has been strong
~ intimated In official circles. how
ever. that II was the presidents inten-
ton To settle this question before clos
Ing his administration. either by rec
smmending that the senate agree to
submit IL To arbitration. or prefer
ably, by the more direct means of an
agreement between the two nations,
referred to In today's British note.
The ambassador was accompanied
by Mr.. 1nnes the counsellor and first
secretary Of the embassy. and In read
ing the entire British note To the Sec
retary. followed the instructions of
Sir Edward Grey.
The foreign minister began his note
with the statement that the president
does not fully appreciate the British
point Of view and has misunderstood
even the note OF July s. He says the
British government does not seek to
prevent the United States from grant
Ing subsidies To- its own shipping pass
Ing through the canal. nor seek to de-
prive the United States OF any liberty
which is open TO either itself or any
other nation TO encourage It's own
shipping or Its commerce by sub
sides. The purpose of the United
States In negotiating the Hay -Paunce-
fote treaty was to recognize their
freedom OF objection and obtain the
right which II had surrendered in the
Clayton Bulwer treaty to construct
the canal itself But this complete
liberty OF action was to he limited by
tho maintenance Of the complete prin-
'ish and United States ships. The
word naturalization" In the prcam-
bic Of the Hay Pauncefote treaty is