Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-18
The American Canal,

Let us assume for the moment that
Uncle Sam In the promises which he
made in the Hay-Pauncefote treaty was
as great a fool as he is represented to
have been. Is his mental condition in
durable and are his promises equitably
irrevocable?
If in 6issolving his cana-making part
nership with John Bull under the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty and in substituting for
It the HayPauncefote treaty Uncle Sam
relieved John Bull from all the burdens
and responsibilities of the partnership.
but left to him the perpetual and equal
enjoyment of its vital privileges and
benefits. then without doubt he was a
simpleton If Uncle Sans promises in
this treaty mean that the only exclusive
privilege which he enjoys under ii is
that of building and paying for the canal
at a vast expense of life ana treasure
and anxious thought in meeting burden
some responsibilities: that in the canal
thus built his ships of war and of COM
merce have not greater PRIVILEGES in time
OF war or peace than the ships OF all
the rest of the world: and that he has
even put himself on terms of inequality
to his disadvantage in the beneficial use
of the canal nv DENYING himself the prvi-
leee open TO all other nations. of sub
sidizing his SHIPS using the canal by
funding tolls. then OF course he Is the
monumental idfct of all the ages.
But as the Hay-Pauncefote treaty was
substituted for the ill-advised Clayton
Eulwer agreement. may not Uncle Sam
I'm GOOD season substitute for the Hay
Pauncefote treaty (unier which he is thus
by some written down a fooD a Knox
Bryce treaty. or w. j. Bryan-Bryee
treaty. which will meet the conditions as
they exist and he equitable and sane?
Nearly two years will elapse before
Uncle Sam in accordance with his an
ronncement will open the canal to the
world. and Will begin 10 collect or remit
or refund tol's in accordance with or in
violation of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
IF for any reason he should not be ready
f. the canal onening on January 1. 1915,
Uncle Sam could doubtless postpone this
event. He has at least these two years
in which to readiust satisfactorily his
International relations with Great Britain
and with Panama.
Though there may be no continuing ad-
euuate consideration for the alleged
promises of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
Uncle Sam has recognized that he is
bound by the pledges therein. as rea-
sonahly construed. until he is relieved
therefrom by agreement with Great
Britain. In view of those promises he
has refrained. after Great Britain's pro-
test. from RENTING tolls on his ships en-
gagged In foreign trade in competition with
Great Britain. IT is matter of fair dis
passionate discussion with England
whether either remission or refunding OF
tolls to our coastwise ships is contrary
to these promises.
thoroughly thrashed out and then such
amendments Of our canal law and> such
modification of our treaties with Great
Britain and Panama or such agreements
as to the construction to he placed upon
these treaties should he made as will re-
move all obstac les to the opening in
1915 OF an American-controlled canal. to
be used exclusively by the United States
and its allies in time of war
If any sutstitu- ed corcess ons are
necessary to this reimbursement. why
should they not be specifically for the
benefit of Great Britain and Panama to
whom we are under some obligations,
and not. under the Hav-Pauncefote
treaty, for the benefit OF the world at
large. which has done nothing and omit
ted nothing to furnish consideration for
an agreement on our part to build al
trustically for it's benefit a canal ex-
our own lend and az orr own EXPENSE