The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-01-22
NOTE IN ANSWER To
BRITISH PROTEST IS
APPROVED BY TAFT
Answers Protest Against
Americas Position on
Panama Canal
Question

Washington, January 2f.-President
Taft has approved the note prepared at
the state department In reply to tho
communication from Sir Edward Grey.
the British secretary for foreign at
fairs, protesting against the exemption
OF American coastwise shipping from
the payment of tolls in the Panama
canal
AS a matter of official courtesy in
formation is withheld as to the exact
status of the note until 1t has been
received by the British government in
London, through the American en-
bassy there.
1t is believed that the American note
was dispatched by mail Immediately
upon its approval by the President and
that 1t should be IN London within a
week The British government, how
ever, will not be obliged to wait that
length of time 10 become acquainted
with its contents. as the amenities Of
diplomacy require tnat simultaneously
with the mailing of dispatch of this
character a copy be supplied TO the
resident ambassador or minister of the
power to whom 1t is addressed.
Cable Substance of Note
Ambassador Bryce, it Is pointed out,
need not hesitate TO make free use of
the cable to supply the British foreign
office with at least an outline of the
American note. Amba ssador Bryce 1t
Is learned, previously had been fairly
well acquainted with the nature of the
reply to be submitted. A week ago he
was invited to the state department
and through the courtesy of Secretary
Knox was permitted to listen to an
explanation in detail of the American
position by Chandler Anderson. coun-
sellor for the state department.
Following precedehts established In
the publication of the Grey note, ii has
been arranged that Secretary Knox's
reply shall be given out for publica-
tion simultaneously in Washington and
in London.
1t is believed here that after at
tempting to eliminate a number OF
preparations contained in the British
note regarded as net germane to the
real issue, Mr.. Knox had devoted him
self principally to the effect to show
that the term "all nations' in the Hay
Pauncefote treaty does not necessarily
include the United states and that 1t
Is entirely competent for this govern
ment to treat it's own shipping differ
emily from that Of other maritime ma
tons so fdT as the canal Is concerned.
No Definite Decision Soon
Important chapters in the history OF
the negotiations that led up to thu,
confirmation OF the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty, which were either overlooked
or purposely omitted In the discussion
OF this important feature in the Brit
ish note. are also believed to be in
cluded in the American presentation.
II generally is regarded as certain that
sufficient new matter has been injected
into the negotiations to warrant their
continuance for some time before the
principals are brought to the necessity
of final decision upon the question of
whether the issues shall be submitted
to arbitration. Unless both parties
should decide to abandon the mails In
favor of direct cable communication, IT
is evident that this point cannot be
reached in the six weeks renal lining OF
the life of the present administration
and 1t may require some active ex-
changes on the part of Secretary Knox's
successor in the state department and
the British foreign Offices to dispose 81
this subject in the eSthree months tina.
will intervene before expiration Of tho
existing British American arbitrat ton
treaty.