New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-07
Fiaht on British Treaty.

To-day's fight centred chiefly on the
treaty with Great Britain. which expired
last Wednesday. Senator Chamberlain
author Of the resolution TO abrogate the
CLAYTON Bulwer and Hay-PauncefOte
treaties. relating TO the Panama Canal,
opposed the renewal Of the treaty on the
ground that it afforded Great Britain a
cause of diplomatic action and a basis
for the demand that the question Of the
right Of the United States to remit the
tolls 10 American vessels engaged in
coastwise traffic be submitted TO an inter
national tribunal
The Senator from oregon quoted extern
sively from Sir Edward Grey's note, and
insisted that this government should enter
into no obligation 10 submit a purely
AdOmesuc question TO an International and
Tipcssibiy a hostile, tribunal for decision.
F"This treaty" the Senator predicted,
never will have the approval of the
Senate again"
To the surprise Of many Of his col
leagues, Senator Chamberlain received
ready support. One of his most con-
spicuous aids was Senator O'Gorman. who
contended that the treaty should not be
renewed IL it covered the submission 10
arbitration Of such matters as the canal
tolls question Mr. OGorman did not
oppose the idea of arbitration or take ex-
ception to any effort to promote interna-
tional peace. but he made It clear that
he did not approve any treaty which
might be construed as curtailing the right
OF the United States to operate the PAN
anna Canal with relation TO its own yes
sells as II chose.
Senator Bristow proposed that the
treaty be modified and that any questions
relating 10 the charging of tolls be eX-
empted from its operation. To this Sena-
tor Bacon, chairman of the Foreign Rela-
lions Committee, objected, mainly because
the exemption would dinerentiate the
British treaty from the other general
treaties OF arbitration, some of which
have already been renewed, and such ac-
tion would be resented by Great Britain.
The Senator also cOanselled the Senate
10 proceed cautiously, although expressing
sympathy with the views Of Senator
Works with respect to the curtailment OF
the rights Of the states in treaties with
foreign governments.
Suggests Persuasive Arbitration"
Senator Newlands, while opposing any
treaty which committed this country 10
absolute arbitration. suggested that the
Senate indorse the policy of persuasive
arbitration" leaving the government
more or less free 10 act as 1t deemed best
in the case Of an international dispute,
Senator Borah took mis- stand with those
who were hostile TO the renewal Of the
British treaty There were too many
people I'm this country, he said, who
ought 70 be living in England.
A motion 10 recommit the treaties TO
the Foreign Relations Committee for fur
Their consideration was abandoned after
a long debate and when the Senate ad-
journed the subject was still pending.
Conservative members Of the committee
admitted that IL was extremely doubtful
that the treaty would be ratified unless
II were modified TO meet the objections
Of those who stand out for the right of
the United States 10 remit the tolls OF
coastwise vessels passing through the
Panama Canal II exception should be
specifically made TO this end it is doubt
ful that the treaty would be ratified by
Greaf Britain.