Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-12

| engaged in the foreign trdue WHICH
may subject to being taken by the
United states government in an emer-
eency.
| The provision of Senate amendment
provides in substance that railroad
owned ships may engage in ccastwise
trade in the United States during a
| voyage to or from trans-ocean ports
but not to tho ports of Canada, Mexico
| Central or Southern America.
| Washington, July 11.-Great Bri-
tain's request for a postponement of
Panama legislation now before Con-
gress until formal statement can be
filed against the proposed ship toll
provisions is likely to have little eff
feet in delaying the passage of the
canal bill, according to leading mem
bers of the Senate.
| Members of the Senate inter- oceanic
canals committee who discussed the
situation. today, declared that there
would be no backing down" by the
Senate from its position in favor of
| free passage of American ships. The
committee has never been agreed upon
| that point, however, and there is a
wide divergence of opinion in the Sem
late as to the rights of the United
States under existing treaties. MAN.
senators who do not believe the Unitea
States has the right to give free pas
| sage to American eoastwise trade be-
| lieve the treaty terms could be met
| by rebating to American vessels the
| tolls they might pay
Senator Lodge, ranking member of
| tho 10 NIT fOraipn a
fairs, declared any further delay in
the consideration of the Panama canal
| Legislation was impossible. He de-
clined, however, to express any final
opinion on the question of the United
States to grant free passage to it's
own ships under the existing treaty
with Great Britain.
Senator Brandegee. chairman of the
canals committee, will make an effort
| to have the Panama canal bill brought
before the Senate as unfinished bust
| ness as soon as the Lorimer case has
been disposed of. 1t doubtful, how
ever, whether the Senate can reach
the bill before the British statement
arrives. Many senators said. today
that Great Britains representations
would be given full consideration"
That not only Great Britain but all
| of the maritime powers might be ex-
pected to protest against any dis
elimination in favor of American YES
sells. has been fully anticipated, yet
notwithstanding that fact President
Taft and Secretary Stimson. the mem
Der of his cabinet directly charged
with the construction and operation
of the Panama canal have, after care
full investigation, committed them
selves to the assertion of the right of
the United States to regulate traffic
i'm the manner provided in the pending
bill.
President Taft has transferred the
entire responsibility for action to the
shoulders of Congress. and has let Il
be known that he proposed to be
guided entirely by its will. So. If the
Legislation is perfected on the pres
ent lines the legislative branch of the
government will be bound to lend I'M
qualified support to the state depart
ment in what is almost certain to be
a period of extremely active and pres
nant exchanges of notes with the great
maritime powers. While Great Britain
occupies a position of exceptional in
terest and power in regard to any
isthmian canal by reason of her
ancient undertaking of joint control
with the United States. it seems Ger
tain that any representations the Brit
ish government may make will be
supported by Germany and France and
perhaps and other European powers
The matter of moment is how far these
powers may go to sustain protest
against the proposed control of the
Panama canal by the United States
Washington, July 11.--Great Bril-
tains request that the enactment of
| the Panama canal administration bill
be held in allegiance until Mr.. Times.
the British charge, can present note
in behalf of his government confronts
Congress and the state department
with an extraordinary situation
The request for delay was COM
Imunicated to the Senate inter-oceanic
canals committee from the summer
embassy at Keno, Me, late, yester-
day, and was sent by Mitchell Innes,
the charge, acting for Ambassador
| Bryce, who is in New Zealand.
| While the reasons for the request
| are not stated in the charges note
| there is no doubt that the British gov
| errnlent is concerned in the clause t
| grant free passage through the cana
| to American vessels in coastwise trade
and that relating to the passage o
railroad owned ships.
Tie canadian RAILWAYS are deepl'
concerned in the case and it is though
that some of the representations vii
be nade in their behalf.
The canal bill is now in the Senat
committee with prospect of being re
ported very soon and will then go t
4 conference With the House. The cor
prc ssnen feel that If any Panama leg
islation is to be dad it must he at thi
session of Congress. The exigencie
which have arisen by the necessity z
reduction of force as the canal ar
proacnes completion make legislatio
necessary If a permanent organizatio
! is to he set up on the canal zone I
the best advantage. 1t was said, toda.
that members OF both houses were No
agreeable to much delay, now.