The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-21
Resolution in Congress to
Favor American Ships.
Senator Would Give Free Pas
sage in Panama Canal.
INTENDED TO WAIT FOR TARIFF
Administration Wanted to Hold
Up Ship Subsidy.
Action to Be Taken by Wilson
Is Anticipated.

Washington. April PA joint reso-
luton to abrogate the Hay-Pauncefote
and CIayton-Bulwer treaties. on which
Great Britain is basing her protests
against the Panama Canal act was in
troduced today by Senator Chamber
lain, of Oregon, and referred to the
foreign relations committee.
Upon the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
Great Britain bases her protests
against free passage for American
ships on the Panama canal. Senator
Chamberlain, a leader for the free
passage exponents, declared that he
considered abrogation of the treaty
the easiest and quickest way to get
TO the bottom of the affair.
Senator Chamberlain explained that
while the Clayton-Bulwer treaty had
been superseded by the existing Hay
Pauncefote treaty, he included it IN
his resolution for abrogation, upon the
theory that were the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty to be abrogated alone Great
Britain might rebase her claims upon
the old treaty with the contention that
the abrogation of its successor still
left it in force.
Abrogation of a treaty involves the
joint action of both houses of con-
greSS and the approval of the preSl-
dent. The last treaty abrogated by the
United States was the Russian treaty
of commerce and navigation because
congress held American Jews were not
treated on an equality with other
Americans travelling in Russia
Attitude of Administration.
One result of the introduction of the
resolution may be to hasten the defini-
tion of the attitude of administration
toward the whole question of the ex-
emption of the American shipping from
tolls in the Panama canal which it is
understood President Wilson intended
to keep in the background until the
tariff legislation had progressed to-
ward a conclusion in the house. BY
an agreement the negotiations begun
last summer by the presentation of
Great Britain's preliminary note have
been held in allegiance since the adj
vent of the new administration. The
lost note in the series filed by Am
bassador Bryce indicated it was to
be followed by another from Sir Ed
ward Grey, secretary for foreign af
fairs.
But this was withheld in view of in
timations that President Wilson would
oppose as a form OF subsidy the ex-
emption of American shipping and the
presidents action in this respect would
be regardless of whether or not such
exemption was in violation of the Hays
Pauncefote treaty.
Mr.. Bryce is leaving Washington
next Friday without filing the expected
supplementary note. His successor, Sir
Cecil Spring-Rice. is understood to be
bringing the latest views of the
British foreign office on the subject |
but their presentation will depend on
the developments in the congressional
situation after the introduction of Sem |
Eo- IN,
the points set out in the preamble to |
the resolution have been developed in |
a preliminary way in the speeches of |
Senator O'Gorman and other advocates
of the right of exemption. AS to the |
principal points that the Clayton Bull !
wer treaty was intended to apply to a |
canal constructed in Nicaragua, state
department officials have long believed |
treaty has no such limitation The
meeting of the senate inter-oceanic |
canals committee scheduled for tomor-
row has been postponed to April %. !