New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-01
Sir Edward Grey'S Reply to
Secretary Knox Virtually
Repeats Contention
Against Free Tolls.
DEFTLY ELUDES ARGUMENT
Insists There Are Grounds for
Arbitration and That II Should
Precede Occurrence of ANY
Actual Friction Be-
tween the Countries.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau J

LrIOHi Inc iflDuns bureau.
Washington, Feb. oS.-The reply OF
the British Foreign Office to the last
communication of Secretary Knox re-
gardins the Panama Canal tolls was
placed in the hands of the Secretary Of
State to-day by the British Am ssa-
dor. Its text will he made public on
Sunday.
Secretary Knox, although gra tifed by
he courtesy which prompted the SUBJ
mission Of Sir Edward Grey's yeply be-
for the expiration of this administra-
lion. is disappointed because the Brit
ish minister begins his communication
with the assertion that there was in
sufficient time before March 10 pre-
pere a full reply TO all the points raised
bv the American Secretary of State.
While publication of the text is de-
ferred, The Tribune correspondent is
permitted to give an authoritative out
line OF the communication.
Emphatic exception is taken 10 Mr
knoxs contention that there il at this
time no ground for arbitration, be-
cause, in homely phrase Great Britain
is crying before she is hurt Sir Ed
ward Gray submits that il is wholly
foreign 10 the spirit and practise Of
arbitration TO require nation which
believes its rights have been questioned
to await the commission of some con-
some act involving actual injur1-re-
fore appealing 10 a. bitratiou.
The British Foreign Minister delicate
ly states that if the purely legal con-
tention Of the American Secretary of
State were conceded il would be neces-
sary 20 wait until tolls had been act
ually levied on a British vessel before
that country would be held 10 have a
case in court. all Of which is the &C
casiOn Of some irritation "a ,he exact
legal mind Of the Secretary.
Reiterates British Conception.
ia,ing dismissed this contention. Sir
Edward Grey proceeds to reiterate the
Conviction--although he refers to it as
a conception of his ma ajesty's gov
eminent that the act OF Congress de-
clsring that no tolls shall be imposed
on vessels engaged in the American
coastwise trade constitutes violation
Of the treaty. which is not affected by
the specific manner in which the Presi-
dent may. in his discretion and on some
conferred on him. 1t is further pointed
out that. although Mr.. Knox laid par
ticular emphasis on the discrst,on
vested in the President. the EXecrtive
is vested with no discretion whatever
10 suspend or 10 modify the exemption
Of vessels engaged in the coastwise
trade which is prescribed by Congress.
Greatly TO the surprise of the Secre-
tary Of State. his suggestion of a com
mission 10 determine the facts, either
under the general arbitration treaty
not yet ratified or independently ap-
pointed in accordance with the pro-
visions Of that conviction, is gently but
firmly rejected, Sir Edward Grey
pointing out that his majestys gov
eminent regards the treaty Of 1905
the arbitration treaty now in force-as
quite sufficient 10 cover any desired
method Of arbitration, and that it's pro-
visions may be carried out in whatever
manner might prove of greatest con-
Venience 10 the two governments.
Then he somewhat nsively adds that,
Continued on second page. third column.