The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-01-25
THE PANAMA BILL.

Senator Elillu Root OF New York in
the United States Senate on Wednes-
day expressed great indignation be-
cause some OF his colleagues are op-
posed to permitting an arbitration
committee to decide whether or not
the United States shall charge Il toll
for the passage of American ships
through the Panama Canal the same
as for ships of foreign nations, In an
lmpassloned speech, he put this ques-
ton: "Shall we inform the world
that the United States is false to it's
agreements. false to it's pledged word !?
Shall we have it made known the
world over that other nations must
look out for the United States or we
will get the better of them" That
this country is astute, cunning, Slip
pery::" f@"'
Senator OGorman, also OF New
York, said ON the same subject: I'VE
would, indeed, create a painful i'm
preston abroad if this mighty nation
should surrender to the control of any
foreign power it's domestic policies
and the control Of it's domestic com
merce. That we can never do and
maintain the prestige, the honor and
the glory of this republic. If Great
Britain had expended Il fulf- billion
dollars in an enterprise affecting her
people. as the Panama Canal does
| ours, what would be her attitude if
the United States should make COM
| plant against her action?''
! Here are two views dianletrically
opposed. Which has reason and COM
mon sense behind it.: Obviously it is
, that expressed by Senator t!Gorinan.
! The United States built the Pan
anna Canal and is paying the enor-
nous expense OF the undertaking.
And for what reason? Surely it is
not intended as Il work - intcrna-
! tional charity. The purpose OF the
project Was to form a convenient wat
o1way between the eastern and west
ern coasts of the country as Il means
| ct reducing the cost OF .ransporta-
! ton. BY what right can England. or
any oti:er nation OF the world. de-
mand that the United States charge
her own vessels the same rate OF toll
that it charges foreiga .esseis? In
other words. How are we indebted to
England that we should protect her
trade?
| 1t would be as sensible for England
tc demand that we admit her exports
into the country free of duty and al
! low her manufacturers to compete for
with our own.
| The cruN of the whole wransle is
to be found III the Interpretation of
! the Hay Pauncefote treaty. England
maintains that that, treaty guarantees
| to her ships the Same rights that it
guarantees American ships Such Il
| proposition on the face of it is alb
surd. II a nation has not the right
! to determine for itself what rules it
shall make for the government of its
own internal affairs it is time for it
to cease to call itself independent.
A nice mess court Of arbitration
made UP principally of foreigners
would make of the question Of free
tolls for American vessels! With ev-
erythi:g to gain by abolishing free
tolls for cur vessels and nothing
whatever to lose, what would the in
!, cvitable decision be?
! Let us by all means arbitratc where
the other nations right as we'll as its
1 Interests are involved, but where it is
! y case only of our rights and the 9TH
cr nations interests, ava" With the
peurile talk of arbitration.