The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-24
SENATE DISCUSSES CANAL BILL
Opinions ID fer a. tc Rights of
United states.

the Senate today that railroad in
1uence was behind Great Britain's
protest, against the Panama Canal
bill and he joined with Senator Lodge
IN declaring that the United States DO
sessed full rights under the British
treaty to give free passage 10 ships
ol American register. These two
speeches marked the debate i'm the
Senate on the Panama Canal bill.
Both Mr.. Lodge and Mr.. O'Gor-
man declared this nation was not
bound by the -Pauncefote treaty
TO give foreign ships all the privileg-
es granted American ships. Mr.. Lodge
Favored bill TO rebate the tolls "a
American ships, however, while Sem
ator O'Gorman, declared the United
states possessed the full right to give
American vessels free passage, if de-
sired. Senator Lodge conceded that
If the case went to the Hague Court
the United States will probably lose.
The support today for the provision
giving free passage to American
shlps, against which Great Britain has
protested, was more emphatic than at
any time since the Senate began con-
sideration Of the bill. Mr.. O'Gor-
man, Mr.. Cummins and others declar-
ed that if the United States had to
construe the treaty literally in giving
the ships of all nations equal treat
ment, it would, by other terms of the
treaty. be prevented from defending
the canal in case of war.
If japanese fleet appeared at the
western end of the canal" said
Senator Reed, of Missouri. bent up-
on passing through to attack the city
Of New York, the United States
would have no right, under such a
construction of the treaty, to take
any steps against it,"
Senator Burton, of Ohio, who made
the first speech Monday in support
of the British theory that the Unit
| ed States can give no special privil-
eges to its own vessels, declared war
would suspend the operation of the
treaty. Senator McCumber, however,
| in speech today against the free pro-
vision, conceded that it was his belief
the canal would have to remain neutral
| even in time of war, and that the
United States would be forbidden by
the HayPauncefote treaty from TAX
ing any measures to blockade or use
the canal for its own protection.
Senator O'Gorman declared that
railroad influence was behind the
British protest.
Il do not think that British ship
ping is greatly interested" he said.
Il believe the railroads Of Canada
and the railroads Of the United States
have been enabled TO secure the CO.
operation of the British office Of for
eign affairs to embarrass this Gov
ernment in the attempt We are now
making TO secure legislation to keep
railroad controlled ships out Of the
Panama Canal. t-- -
| The only Government that has as
sumed any special burden under the
treaty is the United States" said
Senator O'Gorman-
| England and other countries have
assumed no burdens beyond the
payment Of the tolls and the agree
ment as To the terms Of it's neutral
Iity
| There is nothing to prevent Eng
land from remitting to its merchant
ships every dollar Of the tolls paid the
Panama Canal There is nothing to
prevent similar action by other coun-
tries. The only power that is tram
meled. restricted and curtailed in
the performance of its duties to its
own citizenship is the one that has
spent $500. 900. 600 in the construc-
ton Of this great enterprise" He
said Spain already had legislated ito
reimburse spanish ships for the
tolls spent in going through our can
al"
Senator Lodge raised the question
whether the United States would have
a right u interfere if another coun-
try should undertake to pay the tolls
of its ships when passing through the
| canal. No foreign country. he said.
could interfere with any arrange
ment the United States might make
for the payment Of tolls.
IF any government should under
take to do -, |. for one would pro-
test" he said.