Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-12-14
ENGLAND ASKS
FOR ARBITRATION
Protests Against Exemption Of
U.S. Ships From Canal Tolls.
SAYS IT VIOLATES TREATY
Great Britain Claims Equal Rights
With American Shipping In Using
the Canal.


Formal demand upon the govern.
ment of the United States either to
repeal the act OF congress granting
free passage through the Panama
canal TO American ships engaged in
coastwise trade or the submission OF
the controversy TO arbitration, was
made by James Bryce. ambassador OF
Great Britain. In a lengthy statement
presented to Secretary Knox in Wash
ington.
The statement. which bears the sig
nature of Sir Edward Grey, British
minister OF foreign affairs, Is an am.
plification OF the original note OF pro.
test presented by A. Mitchell lnnes.
British charge d'affaires, on July s
last
II endeayors to establish ~ argu.
ment the soundness of the BRITISH con-
tention that the legislation favoring
American ships is in violation OF the
treaty rights of Great Britain with re.
gard to the Panama canal.
The note further gives warning that
another protest will be forthcoming
from Great Britain ii II is held by the
government OF the United States that
the disbarment from the use Of the
canal OF ships In which any railroad
under the jurisdiction OF the inter
state commerce commission has an in.
terest and ships whose owners may be
adjudged guilty OF violating the Sher.
man antitrust law The note states
that the British government now as
sumes that these two clauses do not
apply to or affect British ships.
In regard to arbitration. II is stated
that the British government has taken
cognizance OF the fact that many per
sons OF note in the United States
whose opinions are entitled to great
weight-hold that the act of congress
In question does not infringe the
treaty obligations of the United States,
and therefore II is declared the British
government Is perfectly willing TO sub.
NIT the question to arbitration IL the
United States prefers. This significant
sentence is added. however
"A reference to arbitration would he
rendered unnecessary II the govern
ment of the United States should be
prepared 10 take such steps as would
remove the objections to the act which
his majesty's government have stat.
ed"
Though neither the president or Sec.
rotary Of State Knox have ever made
any declaration as TO whether the
United States wolsld be willing to sub.
NIT the controversy over canal tolls
TO arbitration. II has been generally
assumed that this government would
refuse 10 arbitrate the dispute with
Great Britain.
Sir Edward Grey In the note pre-.
scented 10 Mr.. Knox hastens to deny
that the British government is at.
tempting to deny the right OF the
United States TO grant subsidies to liz
shipping interests. and thus deprive
II of the same rights enjoyed by other
nations and which will send subsidized
vessels through the Panama canal
The British argument on the main
poin' at issue rests chiefly on the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty OF 1901 The
main point Of the argument is that II
any American ships are granted the
free use Of the canal. British ships
using the canal will be forced to bear
more than a proper share Of the bur
den OF the cost OF the upkeep of the
canal and interest charges on it's cost
OF construction. This. II is claimed. Is
in violation of the clause OF the Hay.
Pauncefote treaty. which declares that
all charges made by the United States
for the use of the canal shall be just
and equitable