Evening journal., 1913-05-08
PEACE ADVOCATES URGE
REPEAL OF FREE TOLLS
FOR AMERICAN SHIPS

which have agreed 70 submit such dn-
ferences 70 The Hague Court OF Aroi-
tration.
In a special sense the United States
is bound TO observe faithfully and
without question the treaty OF ApTN.
1908; for the United States has been
among governments che great advc-
cate Of arbitration, has pracused Il Ia
important cases, and has urged Il
strongly on all other governments.
The United States cannot refuse 20
arbitrate the difference which has
arisen concerning the proper inter-
probation of the Hay Pauncetota
Treaty, without turning its back On
very honorable chapter In It's SVo
history, and damaging throughout 'he
world the cause OF free institutions.
The Republic ought 70 be the most
scrupulous Of all governments In the
exact observance Of treaty obligations.
II must be absolutely faithful 10 It's
word, even to It's own hurt.
Assuming that the difference which
has arisen concerning the construc-
ton OF the Hay -Pauncefote Treaty
must be arbitrated unless the cause
of the difference can be Withdrawn,
we desire to urge on our fellow cit-
zens the expediency of promptly re-
pealing that action of Congress which
gave rise to the difficulty
Granting that some American ship
ping interests might be benefited by
| the exemption of coastwise vessels
! from canal tolls, since the term coast
wise now includes voyages half round
] the globe, America surely has much
/ larger interests which would be great
/ ly served by the prompt abandonment
of any Interpretation of the Hay
| Pauncefote Treaty against which
Great Britain can enter reasonable
protest. The United States has an inn
mense interest in the sanctity OF con-
tracts. and in the strict observance OF
all international conventions ad treat
! les. Il has an immense interest IN
the faithful observance of any treaty
between two or more nations which
has been entered into for the benefit
of mankind" Il is true that in times
past many treaties have not been
strictly observed; that others nave
been suffered 10 lapse quietly; and
that some have been violated by one
or more of the parties, too impatient
to wait for new convention. Despotic
and monarchial governments have
often sinned in these respects. and re-
publics have been accused of like con-
, duct. All the more reason that the
American Republic should do no ac'
under a treaty which can be ever
questioned by candid and honorable
men. In the efficacy of internationa
agreements lies the chief hope Of Tho
world for progressive civilization.
The further promotion, in a method
of uncertain value, of the interests o
American coastwise shipping, inter
, ests already protected by the posses
sion of a complete monopoly al
against all other nations. is a doubt
ful matter of commercial improve
, mept. The whole country considered
/ the pecuniary advantage would not b.
large, and might easily be completed!
. offset by accompanying disadvan
tages; but whatever advantage Nigh
come TO this well-protected industry
n it would be as nothing compared wit
the interests of the whole Unite
n States in carrying out the noble wor
! of building a canal between the Al
q lantic and Pacific oceans for the com
\ mon advantage of all nations.
The greatest interest of the Unitel
States as a free nation is to represen
! worthily before the world the prin
o ciples of civil and religious libert
q and the public efficiency and we'll
' being which those principles develoT
|. and thereby to promote the adoption
= of these principles the world over
4 This is a great material as we'll as
q great moral interest. In comparison
f with this large interest the interes
8 of the United States in its coastwis
r vessels sinks into insignificance. B
|. securing the repeal of that part of tn
2 act of Congress on the Panama Cana
v which provided for the exemption G
i American coastwise vessels from tn
: payment of tolls, the American peopl
= would embrace a precious opportun
q ity to prove that they understan
l their highest interest, and recogniz
d their duty to promote it "for the bene
v fit of mankind"