Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-20
MR. TAFTS OPPORTUNITY TO ASSERT
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE AT PANAMA
He Has Helped Build the Canal No1O He Should
Defend 1t against Un1Uarrdnted British Interference

contended that soemny obligated by treaty compact
treat the nations of the world alike that it would perdy
to give American ships the little advantage they would receive
from free canal tolls when such action discriminate
against the ships of great and friendly nation
Yet this great and friendly after its usual
fashion took the suez canal away Egypt people
built it, charges tolls for its ships the world
but openly returns its every they pay
tolls And the great friendly been per
mitted canal ships of the United States
would have found the toll portal British toll
gatheer there to collect from every ship sought
to pass through
Let deceive himself the lofty position taken
by the of the Republic sought give
up the right affairs independent of Great
Britain that very dearly bought
years that followed which reasserted in 1912
AS to the yPauncefoe treaty the language clear
the meaning plain No American citizen with the prevalent
American gift of take any other
rights of the United States with regard Congress
has said the people that the canal by
money and their blood that they continue pay
operation and maintenance to send their police
fend it in time of and yet any conditions
gain from it advantage But Congress- the
jory of its members make the people believe
action dictated by high preservation
of national honor entered into the question al all.
will the of the BILL forced on
the the Democratic majority in the House.
awaiting the signature of the Presdent What will
of the marine the hope
tatng which people freely building
great waterway?
The canal must maintain Vast numbers of men, all paid
public pocket operate Engineering operations
gigantic upkeep great
achievement of human hands will be triing matter
The cost will be continuing And the people pay again
pay every will pockets already by
the cost of living all they bear.
Return? There will be from the single
age free tolls vessels against which
British thinking members of the house could find possible
gument in the Hay -Pauncefote treaty
AS to merchant marine; will continue it has
is the undputed intention of every maritime
rebate its vessels the tolls charged Eng
land rebates the tolls And the that fly the
flag Disseminated against by Congress-
will find competition still ruinous without subsidy
advantage the gates which flies the
they carry their taai they will gradual
y drift into the possession of foreign the boneyard
till the American flag is but memory on the high
Congress passed bill still signed by Pres
dent Taft Mr. Tafts the thus pa
still ringing express to Con-
the view of the American citizens whose money built the
canal.
The with the giant enterprise
He has been often person As Secretary he
practical charge times and
all places has voiced hope that the might be of
the highest benefit to all Americans.
Thus the future of the canal the hands the presi-
dent has been its past Against brave American
ance him the members congress could not
stand.
Treaty obligations binding but congressman vot
ing give American ships the benefit of American
either the spirit the letter of the Hay Paunceoe
treaty.
National honor is of the highest Importance but the
to preserve national independence was
established the signing of the Declaration and to guarantee