New-York tribune., 1912-07-14
Belief in Washington That Action
Is Taken to Satisfy Canadian
Interests-State Depart
ment Perplexed.
[From The Tribune Bureau.

accepted ny tnc senate committee, IluSt nc
regarded as purely tentative. Whether 1t
is worth while to forward this communica-
ton or to convey it's purport to the Senate,
or to the Senator in charge Of the bill.
Secretary Knox has not decided
It is unusual for a foreign power to ask
this government to define measures pend
ing in Congress. and as there is a posi-
bility, II not a probability, that the inter-
pretation of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
may ultimately be intrusted to The Hague.
IL is not likely that Mr. Knox will commit
himself now by attempting to define
provision which may or may not become
law.
Protests Appear To Be Formal.
There is strong disposition in official
circles to minimize the importance which
has been attached to the British protests
and almost an admission that perhaps the
Department Of State itself has been dis
posed TO attach to the communications OF
Mr.. Mitchell Innes. the British Charge,
more Importance than they deserve. 1t is
pointed out that were Great Britain really
in earnest II Is hardly likely that her COM
municatons would have been intrusted TO
a charge. or that, having been so intrusted.
that official would have contented himself
with telegraphing and writing to the Sec
retary OF State, instead Of coming to Wash
ington TO submit the views of his govern
ment In person.
When one comes 10 think about H." re-
marked high official OF the government
to-day, the British method OF protesting
is somewhat amusingly suggestive OF per-
mitting a small boy away on his vacation
10 lombard the State Department with
postals and night messages" This official
then went on TO explain that II was Gus
tomary In all matters OF real Importance
when the ambassador OF one country was
absent from his post TO conduct negotia-
tions or TO communicate objections or pro-
tests. through the other ambassador 50
that in this case had Great Britain at
uached genuine importance to its protests
II would undoubtedly have conveyed them
TO this government through the American
Ambassador TO Great Britain.
But as II still further TO emphasize the
inconsequental character Of the protests
they have not only been intrusted TO a
charge d'affaires. but he has not taken the
trouble 10 come 10 the capital 20 presens
them in person.
II is believed that Great Britain is not
seriously concerned regarding the pending
canal legislation. and has gone through the
form OF fling protests merely to satisfy
certain Canadian interests as a matter OF
political expediency. Color Is given 10 this
idea by the fact that the railway provision.
regarding which information is now sought.
could not by any possibility AFFECT the in
terests OF Great Britain. except in the case
of those Canadian railways which have
lines extending into the United states and
thus come within the Jurisdiction OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
The latest note OF Mitchell Innes presents
the problem originally outlined In the dis
patch to The Tribune. which first announced
the receipt OF Great Britains telegraphie
protest. There is a community Of owner
ship between certain Canadian railways and
steamship lines, and II is feared the latter
might be affected inimically were the House
provision to become law.
Arbitration Would Be Difficult.
The Hague Tribunal would be subjected
to the most severe strain ever placed upon
It. in the opinion Of the officials here. should
the settlement OF the issue between America
and Great Britain regarding the use OF the
Panama Canal be referred TO IT, This strain
would be felt In the important initial at
tempt 10 secure an impartial court OF arbi-
tration In this peculiar case the United
States would stand almost alone against
the nations OF the world In her assertion
OF the right to discriminate in favor OF
American shipping
Every maritime power would profit by
decision in favor Of Great Britain. Unless
the parties to the arbitration would be sat
isfied to sel,ct the judges from countries
absolutely without maritime interests. such
as Switzerland, It would be practically i'm
possible to secure an impartial tribunal.
Senate Turns 20 Canal Bill.
So far as en- be perceived, the British
protests have thus far produced no enect
I'm the Senate, unless II be 10 accelerate
consideration OF the bill. As soon as the
Lorimer case was out Of the way to-day
the canal bill was made the ."unhn'shed
business" by a vote Of 10 10 81. upon mo-
ton of Senator Brandegee. chairman Of the
Committee on Interoceanic Canals. Sena-
tor Simmons made an attempt to secure The
right OF way for the Democratic wool Dill
and moved TO modify the Brandegee motion
TO that end but was declared out Of order
All the Republicans. with the exception OF
Senator McCumber. stood firmly against
taking up the tariff.
Senator Brandegee, in response TO IN
quires from Senator Simmons, said that
the canal bill would be called up each day
for debate. unless 1t were temporarily dis
placed by an appropriation bill or privi-
legged matter. although there Is no dispose
tlon to force it TO a vote with undue haste.
Senator Burton probably Will lead of In
the discussion Of the measure. lie holds
that the discrimination against railroad
owned steamships is unfair. and that. prop
erly regulated the two methods of trans
porta ton should be supplementary, rather
than competitive, with advantage rather
than disadvantage to the shipper.