The Washington herald., 1913-10-12
CANAL PROVISION
MAY NOT Stand
President Said to Believe Free
Canal Tolls Should Not
Be Granted.
TREATY NOW VIOLATED
Great Britain's Views May Be Ac-
cepted by Chief Executive and Con-
gress Asked to Amend Act.

New York, Oct 1.-THE Tribune today
prints the following Washington dis
patch:
THAT President Wilson has become
convinced of the correctness OF the con-
tention of Great Britain that the tree
tolls provision Of the Panama Canal bill
involves q violation of the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty, as has been previously fore
told in these dispatches, is assured.
"A declaration of the Presidents con-
viction, which was cabled to the London
Times and back to this country, met eVith
no denial at the White House Saturday.
On the contrary, 1t was merely asserted
that neither the London Times corre-
spOndent nor any one else was authorized
TO announce the Presidents views on this
subject. From other quarters close to the
administration, however, confirmation OF
the London report was receiveu, although
all who confirmed II took occasion to as
Eert that they had nothing to say officially
on the subject.
Whether President Wilson will deem
it wise formally to convey his views 10
Congress is another question. That he
will do so if he perceives the slightest
chance of effecting the repeal of the free
tolls provision is certain. II, on the other
hand, he becomes convinced through con-
ference with the Democratic leaders that
repeal is unattainable. he may. merely as
a matter OF expediency. refrain from
making the recommendation in any for
NAL manner.
Opposition Is Determined.
There is certain to be determined op-
position to repeal in both houses of Con-
Eress. Representative Underwood. fo-
Instance, takes the ground that Great
Britain's contention is merely part of
foreign hostility to the upbuilding of an
American merchant marine, and, there
fore, unworthy of serious consideration,
or at least of recognition by the Ameri-
can Congress. Senator O'GOrman also
violently is opposed to such a step. On
the other hand, such experienced states
men as Senators Lodge, John Sharp
Williams and Root are convinced that
the law violated the treaty and should
be repealed, and Senator Hoke Smith
takes the same view.
Those who recall the negotiation and
ratification Of the Hay-PauncefOte treaty
remember that the chief consideration
Of Secretary Hay was to procure from
Great Britain a cancellation of the
pledge OF the United States not to for
tify the canal, and they believe that Mr..
Hay regarded Great Britain's cancel
iation of that obligation, on the part Of
the United States, as abundant return
for the guarantee by the United States
Of equal treatment of British and other
foreign shipping with that of the United
States in the matter of tolls.
only a comparatively short time ago.
it also will be recalled, there was con-
siderable element in this country which
was voclfeTOusly denying that the United |
States had any right TO construct forti-
ncatjous along the canal. That Mr.. Hay, !
in the prrsCience OF his craftsmanship,
had foreseen this possibility and guarded
a-aIUst il was abundantly established by
tine publication in the Tribune of conf
Dental correspondence between himself
and Lord LansdOwne, which correspond
ence contained acknowledgment of that
right on the part OF the United States in
terms 50 unequivocal to preclude the
possibility Of any other contention.
On Equal Footing.
Senator Root, former Secretary of
State, and others who were familiar
with the negotiations when they were
being conducted entertain no doubt
whatever regarding the obligation of the
United States 10 grant to the shipping |
of Great Britain precisely the same rights |
and privileges as may be accorded to !
shipping of the United States, and it s |
noteworthy that those who espOuSe the |
opposite view are the younger genera !
tion OF statesmen, who were at that time |
in no position to know the aims and pur- |
poses OF the Secretary Of State, or who |
have entered public life long since that |
eminent statesman achieved his great |
work and was gathered 10 his fathers.