The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-01-24
WOULD LEAD TO BIcKERINGs
Declared II Might Do Much to Un-
dermine Good Relations
BRITISH DECISION IS AWAITED

reply to Sir Edward Grey on the ques-
tion of Panama tolls is found unsatis-
factory by those evening ewspaper
which have commented on IT,
The Westminster Gazette. generally
looked upon as the mouthpiece of the
government, says:
"Knox's suggestion leaves the door
open for long series Of chickering's,
which might do much to undermine
the good relations of the two coun-
tries"
The Pail Mall Gazette says:
Coming from any other country
than the United States, the tone of
Konxs reply would be deeply resent
ed"
British Decision Is Awaited.
Washington, Jan. 24.-Secretary
Enox's reply TO the British protest
against the exemption of American
coastwise shipping from the tolls OF
the Panama canal, having been re.
ceived in London, it is incumbent
upon the British foreign office 20 come
to a decision at once as to whether
efforts will be continued to adjust the
supposed differences between the two
countries by further exchanges. or ac-
cept Knox's offer TO exchange ratifi-
cations of the Knox Bryce general ar
hitration treaty, as amended by the
Senate, and referred to a speeial com
mission and take it's finding Of actual
facts as a basis OF possible arbitration.
Officials here are awaiting this decis-
ion with great interest because upon
il depends the probability of Taft
reaching satisfactory settlement of
the question before he leaves Office.
If Grey prefers an immediate eX.
change of ratificatlons Of the pending
arbitration treaty, Taft is ready al
most Immediately to appoint three
American members Of special com
mission provided under its terms To
ascertain and report upon the facts.
Secretary knox's Proposal.
Secretary Knox's reply TO the Brit
ish protest against the exemption OF
American coastwise shipping from
Panama canal tolls assures the Brit
ish government that domestic coast
wise trade will not be permitted to
extend operations into foreign compe-
titive fields and that increased tolls
| will not be laid on foreign shipping to
balance the remission to American
ships If Great Britain is not satisfied
on these points, America proposes a
special commission of adjustment.
The communication is devoted to
the purpose of reducing to the small
est point the issues upon which the
! two governments have failed to agree
and as To these-only two-it is con-
tended that they are entirely suscept-
ible Of adjustment by diplomatic
| means, and without recourse to ar
bitration
If this course should not prove ac-
ceptable to the British government. II
| is suggested that the whole contro-
versy be referred to special commits
sion of inquiry. provision for which
] is made i'm the unratlned Knox Bryce
general arbitration treaty. That con-
vention was approved by the Senate
with an amendment which curtailed
| the power of the special commits
sion of inquiry TO mere investigation
and report. and refused to permit the
commission to bind either country to
| a course of arbitration in its findings
| Because of this treatment, President
! Taft has so far declined to consum"
mate the treaty by exchanging rati-
| flcations with the British government
To meet the needs of this present
issue. Secretary Knox now offers tc
give life to the treaty by an imme-
| date exchange of ratification. which
would ensure the existence of a gen
eral arbitration treaty between Amer
| lea and Great Britain after the lapse
If the existing Hay-Pauncefote June
| 4 next AS an alternative. the secre-
| tary is willing that commission be
created for the special purpose of as
| certaining the facts i'm regard to the
| effect upon British shipping of the
Panama canal tolls act and the presi-
dents proclamation fixing the tolls.
|