New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-03
The Hague Tribunals Interpre-
tation Of the Hay.Pauncefote
Treaty Desired by
Great Britain.
ANNOUNCEMENT OFFICIAL
News Comes as Surprise to
President Taft, Who Believed
Matter Would Be Dealt
with in the Usual
Diplomatic Way.

London, Sept. At IL oficially ans
nounced that the British government
will make formal demand upon the
United States government for arbitra-
ton OF It's claim that the Panama Canal
toll act, az passed recently by the
United States Congress, violates the
Hay Pauncefote treaty.
Nothing definite IL known here be-
yond the brief Official announcement
that the formal demand for arbitrat ton
will be made, but it is believed that
instructions already are en- route TO the
British Embassy in Washington con-
cerning the situation.
The British demand Will be made
under the arbitration convention Of
1908. Great Britain's contention will
be that the question at issue does not
affect the vital interests, independence
or honor Of the United States, and thai
therefore It IL clearly within tho scope
OF the 1908 convention, since the mat
tor to bs arbitrsted is not an act OF
Congress, but an Interpretation Of Artis
Gle Of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
Beverly, Mass, Sept. 2.-The an.
nouncement that Great Britain will ap.
peal to The Hague tribunal to settle It's
claim Of violation Of the Hay-Paunce.
fote treaty by the Panama Canal act
came as a surprise TO President Taft.
He had heard reports that such an ap-
peal was contemplated, but was of the
opinion that the matter would be taken
up IN the usual diplomatic way.
The President was not ready tonight
to make an expression about the ap-
peal to The Hague. He had no official
word from the State Department and
did not expect TO consider the case
until he reaches Washington Wednes-
day. IT was said that decision might
not be reached until the return Of Sec.
retary Knox, who is on his way to.
Japan. Mr.. Knox is due back In this
country early in October. The Presi-'
dent Is known to place great reliance
on Mr.. knox's Judgment, and is hardly
likely 10 make a decisive step in the
matter without consulting him.
1t was pointed out here tonight that
Great Britain's notice of appeal does
not me 4 that the matter must go to
The Hague. The United States has as
much right TO refuse TO submit to ar
bitration as Great Britain has to ask
il.
Friends Of the President realize that
Great Britain's action places him In =
delicate position. AS the foremost ad-
vocate of universal arbitration, he Is
now being called upon TO submit 10
The Hague case that involves some
ting in which every American feels
himself vitality interested.
II was pointed out, however, that the
President will have firm ground on
which TO base a refusal to arbitrats.
His proposed arbtral court was TO
have been composed of citizens Of the
two countries in dispute, and might
therefore be expected to give square
deal' to the parties at issue.
The Hague court, however. would
not contain a number of Americans
equal to the number OF ether members
from other countries. All Europe feels
much as Great Britain does about the
Panama act, and a tribunal composed
largely OF Europeans could hardly be
Just to America.
The President was aware when he
approved the Panama act that furtner
trouble with Great Britain would fol-
low. He signed the bill reluctantly,
but in the belief that even If arbitra-
tion became necessary the work or
setting ND the "machinery' 10 operate
and administer the canal could go on.
This part of the law was urgently
needed. and he told friends that X
arbitration was resorted to and the
Unite0 states Was ucicd'c" NNhs'S""
would have plenty Of time to remedy
the situation that would then exist.
The President to-day continued his
vacation in the usual way. He played
golf this morning with Charley, his
Younger son, and took long automo-
bile ride with Mrs. Taft tonight. He
talked Indiana politics before dinner
with J. p. Goodrich, one OF the Taft
Republican leaders in that state.
Washington, Sept. 2-When Informed
tonight of the announcement that the
British government would make formal
demand upon the United States for arhi-
tration OF the Panama Canal tolls, Hunt
inyton Wilson, the Acting Secretary or
state. said that he had no comment to
make.
From the attitude Of this government
thus far with relation TO the dispute, the
opinion here is general that the United
States will not yield to the demand for
arbitration of its right to relieve Us
coastwise shipping from tolls in the Pam
ANA Canal without a prolonged diplo-
matte struggle. In some quarters the
opinion is maintained that the demand
will be fatty declined
In the last note from Great Britain.
presented 10 the State Department a week