The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-07-25
HANNIS TAYLOR'S VIEW.

|
In the general discussion of Panama
Canal tolls the fact is usually lost
J sight of that the Panama Canal is on
an entirely different basis from that
of the Sucz Canal, and the neutrality
Of the Suez Canal has no feature in
common with the National ownership
Of the Panama Canal The shares of
the Suez Canal are owned very largely
by Great Britain: but. after all, it is
a private corporation, having no ma
tional standing or backing. There is
an agreement among the nations for
the naturalization of that canal; but in
no sense does the United States depend
on the forbearance of the nations with
respect 10 the Panama Canal. Accord.
ingly, since we built that canal, since
we own it, since we have possession Of
the canal zone as a National territory,
We are fortifying the canal as against
the world, giving notice 10 all con-
cerned that it is ours and that we in
tend 10 hold il as against attack from
any source, and are not dependent upon
the good will Of any nation or group of
nations for its protection.
This latter point, that the canal be-
longs wholly in all possible respects, in
its construction, in its site, in It's con
troll and government 10 the United
States. is now brought forward force.
fully and suthoritatively by the Hon.
I
TO Spain, and high authority on
international law and treaty obliga-
tioDs. He presents the point as q new
one, and presents it forcibly and
strongly. The canal being built by the
United States wholly. being the posses
sion, property, and asset of the
United States exclusively. and being
constructed upon territory occupied
and governed by the United States.
II occupies the same position. so far as
this country is concerned, as though
the Government should build a canal
from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi
river. In such case. the canal would |
be built wholly within United States !
territory by United States money; |
and although Canada and Great |
Britain might be allowed the use
OF such canal, they would /
have no right whatever 10 anv share /
IN it's control or any say in its man
agement or supervision. The cases are
identical, and Mr.. Taylor is quite right
in presenting the ease in this way.
Rf,t IN, -.
what is the remedy What
will stop the dispute and reconcile con.
dicting views? Mr. Taylor suggests
that the United States raise the diplo-
matte question with Great Britain
whether the possession of the Panama
Canal, acquired since the Hay.Paunce
fote treaty was negotiated, does not
altogether change the application of
hat treaty 20 the canal and its man.
igemeut. IL seems 10 be a clear case
bat il does so. precisely as though
he United States with respect 20
natter in Porto Rico, or the Philip.
lines, or Alaska, should throw of anv ,
obligations which appertained ~ those
with respect TO ourselves
'rior TO our acquisition OF those posses
1ons. Mr.. Taylor has hit upon the !
PRACTICAL method Of bringing the mat. :
er TO head, and nc is emiucntly
ound and right when he SAYS that a. ,
o this matter there is nothing which {
he United states can afford 70 arbi ,
rate at The Hague or anywhere else.
'ith any power whatever. 1t is not J
ustIciablo proposition, since the rights, Z
he equities. and all the points are all s
n favor OF the United States.
There - not. in our judgment. any
ound reason for holding that the {
nited states. having built the canal.
nd having acquired jurisdiction over /.
he canal zone. should allow FOR ono /
nomeni the idea to prevail that il Is y
.eholdcn to Great Britain or 10 anv q
thcr nation iu the uremiscs II has
rec haud altogether. and rsn do - i. {
leases with the canal IN does not
cod. IN fact. TO open it w 10 trafiie !
{ al. II Is not under any obligations /,
o any other power even 20 finish The o
anal and rat 10 in us3blc condition. !
hose facts being evident on the face =
Z the matter. II seems 10 us tho most 4
Extraordinary and foolish proposition 2
d the world "a hold tina; re are uudcr 2
bliSHtions 90 treat other powers ON -
perfect equality with ourselves a. % 81
oils and precedence in the use Of the ,
anal. on the contrary. the very read. =
NJ Of the canal treaty when il D. read !,
; a whole, and tho facts aud rights of 2.
hc ess. are absolutely conclusive 81
bat the United States has built the :,
anal for itself, snd that il simply !,