New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-06
Fright. and Honorable" the
Presidents Arbitration Dec
Iaration Is Called by the
London Press.
PRAISE FOR THIS COUNTRY
American People Are a Big
Nation and Want Nothing
Petty" - Chief Executive
Opposes Submission to
The Hague Tribunal.

] AhS 1stbS Nv LtiOUhoi'
| I by Gable to The Tribune.
| London. Jan. 6.-Prosidcut Taft's
declaration in favor of referring the
! Panama Canal tolls controversy to ar
/ bitratiou is heartily welcomed on this
side of the Atlantic. The Daily Mail"
says:
president Taft has taken the right
and honora bic course by declaring his
willingness TO submit the question OF
Panama Canal tolls 10 arbitration. Any
other policy would have been almost
unthinkabIe on the part Of statesman
who. two years ago. devoted all his ef-
| forts 10 furthering the rausc OF inter-
national peace throughout the world
Put in matters OF foreign policy
, Presidents may propose. but tho Senate
disposes, and We have yet to discover
whether that body will follow Presi-
dent Taft's lead II 1t docs, the Panama
question is as good as settled, for Of
the strength Of the British case there
can be 10 possible doubt"
Suspense Is irritating.
THE Daily Telegraph" says: There
could he no better beginning for the
work of preparing to celebrate the sign
! ing OF the treaty OF Ghent than Presi-
dent Taft's proposed treatment of our
outstanding cause Of disagreement. \
degree OF acerbity already has been de-
Vcloped on the question in spite Of the
studiously moderate handling of it. in
most quarters upon our own side, ana
that feeling is scarcely likely to dimin-
ish so long as the matter remains in
suspense.
After all. IL. unlike most OF our past
causes Of dispute with the United
States. is a question upon which an
Overwhelming body Of American public
opinion favors this country's conten-
ton. and this situation is exactly met
by the proposal TO arbitrate. No rea-
sonable mind can rank the matter
among those disputes which are upon
the highest plane OF national interest
ana stItlituN' anu NHiNh nv b'N"'
people will consent to submit 10
any arbitrsment but that of its
own sense Of honor.
The standard says: 1t is with
great satisfaction that we welcome the
declaration OF President Taft. IL shows
that In Anglo o-Saxondom, at least, ar
/ bitration has a useful part 20 play. II.
indeed. such powers were incapable OF
| accomplishing settlement in this
| manner, we should despair altogether
| OF the utility OF an international tri-
| bunal. 1t is only just TO recognize the
highly honorable part played by the
greater portion Of the American press
| in this controversy. II has given most
| vigorous expression 10 what we believe
| is the prevailing sentiment of the
American people, who are big ma
ton and want nothing petty in their re-
! lations With other countries
High Admiration for Taft.
The Daily News" describes the dec
laration Of the President as most
welcome New Year message 10 Great
Britain and the world, and expresses
| the highest admiration for Mr.. Tafts
| good faith I'm offering 10 submit
| doubtful cause 10 arbitration.
1T places the arbitration idea in It's
| true aspect before the world" adds the
paper.
Washington. Jan. 5.--PreslJent Taft is
willing TO submit to arbitration the ques-
tions at issue between Great Britain and
the United States over Panama Canal
! tollsN but he does not favor arbitration by
the Hague tribunal This fact became
known here tonight Upon the Presidents
return from New York.
| Although he has not yet given the mat
ter OF a tribunal much thought, the Presi-
dent probably would prefer special
board Of arbitration composed of an equal
number OF citizens of the United States
and Great Britain. such was TO be the
composition OF the arbitral court he pro-
posed to settle any vital question arising
between nations when he spoke on behalf
| OF the arbitration treaties.
| The President has expressed TO friends
the view that at The Hague all Europe
| " vould be against this nation, and that the
| moral pressure on the court would be
enormous, because all Europe Is interest
ed In Panama tolls just as much as Eng
| land is.
In "A court In which only Great Britain
and the United States were represented.
| II 4. argued. there would be much great
er chance Of a fair decision. Several
Democratic Senators have voiced the opin-
ion that a special tribunal should be Gro
ated 10 arbitratc this dispute.
| lIllnr nv ran