Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-20
NR TAFT'S OPPORTUNITY TO ASSERT
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE AT PANAMA
He Has Helped Build the Canal: No1O He Should
Defend It Against UnOarranted British Interference

ships from American has, long speeches.
commended that sonny obligated by treaty compact to
treat the nations of the alike perfdy
to give American ships advantage they receive
from free tolls when such discriminate
against the ships of great and friendly nation
Yet this great friendly which after its usual
fashion took the suez canal away Egypt people
built it, charges tolls for its the ships of all world
but openly returns its every they pay such
tolls And the great and friendly per-
med build the the ships United States
would have found the toll bar the portal
gaherer there collect from every American ship sought
to pass through.
Let deceive himself the lofty position taken
by the enemies of the Republic who have thus sought give
up the right to control their affairs independent of
Britain that very dearly bought in 1776 and the
years that followed, which reasserted in 1872
AS the Paunceote treaty, the language clear
the meaning plain. No American prevalent
American gift of any other the
rights of the United States with regard Congress
has said the people that the built by their
money and their blood they pay for its
operation and maintenance send their police it,
fend it in time of and yet under any conditions
gain from scrap advantage But Congress- ma
ory of its members make the people believe
action dictated by high motives preservation
will canal under this bill forced on
the Senate by the Democratic majority in the House.
awaiting the signature of the President? What will
the American merchant the fond hope rehab
atng which the people freely consented the building
great waterway?
The canal we must maintain Vast numbers of men, all paid
public pocket operate Engineering operations
gigantic scale must be continued The upkeep great
estaC of human he
The cost will be continuing And the people pay again
pay and every will from pockets already by
the cost of living all they bear
Reurn There will be return single advan
age vessels against which even the
British thinking members of house could possible ar
gument in the Hay Pauncefote treaty.
merchant will continue has
BEEN 1t the udsputed intention every
charged Panama Eng
rebates the tolls fly the
American flag Disseminated against by the American Congress-
will find competition still runou and without subsidy with
advantage the gates of the canal which flies flag
that they carry their taffras closed them they will gradual
y possession foreign owners boneyard
till the American flag is but memory the high
Congress has passed the bill still signed by Pres
dent Taft Mr. Taft stand in the matter thus pa
otc There still time for ringing veto to express
gress the of the American citizens money
canal
The President has had much with the giant enterprise
He has been often at Panama person AS Secretary
practical charge of the construction and
places he has voiced the hope the might be of
the highest benefit to all Americans.
Thus the future of the canal in the hands the pres
dent has been its past Against brave American
anoe from members of congress could not
stand
Treaty obligations binding but congressman
give American ships the benefit of American
violate either the spirit the letter the Hay
treaty
National the highest Importance way
to preserve independence