Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-01-27
PRECEDENT LET'S IT be KNOWN
HE SIDES WITH GREAT BRIT.
AIN IN CONTROVERSY.
THINKS AMERICAN sAips
SHOULD PAY FULL RATES
Wilson's Positive Declaration Surprise
to many-;Attitude Previously Un-
known-Diffsrs From Views Held by
Previous Administration-Trsaty 10
Held 70 bs Violated.

Washington. Jan. 27.-rhat Presi-
dent Wilson is opposed to exemption
Of American coastwise ships from
Panama canal tolls was practically as
serted today by those who knew what
took place at the conference last night
between the president and the sena'-
foreign relations committee. ~
Senators who talked with th~~pi es'-
dent said today tho -ff. wilson iu1iS
explained his position on the tolls ques-
ton. that his views inclined toward the
contentious Of Great Britain, and that
he would make public his. attitude in
the near future. ra
Many were surprised at the pres!-
dents positive attitude and the fact
that he had not urged some action at
the extra session of congrass.
Two Courses Open.
One way to carry out the scheme
would be to repeal the exemption &C;
and another the passage Of the Adam
son resolution to suspend for two years
the operation Of the exemption clause
and thus demonstrate whether the
canal could be self sustaining without
tolls from American ships.
1t was said today that the president
was not opposed to toll exemption but
he was, strongly of the opinion that
they would be a discrimination which
would not agree with the provisions Of
the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
May LIT Arms Embargo.
Lifting the embargo on arms for
Mexico also were discussed at last
nights conference. Some :sena tors ia
vored it on the ground that it would
hasten hostilities to conclusion. One
senator today said the president was
inclining to that view. "a
It was hesgeneral opinion Of sena-
tors after tfefr talk with the presiden,
on the Japanesa ssitua ton that officials
IN Japan were friendly to the United
States but were being pressed by radi-
Gals.
Grsat eritain's Contention.
The dispute between the United
States and Great Britain turns on the
construction Of article 3 Of the Hay
Pauncefote treaty. which provides:
l AC SoAA1A SAAoA! OC AtcS oAIN oPSAl
to the vessels Of commerce and war OF
all nations observing these rules on
terms Of entire equality so that there
shall be no discrimination against any
such nation or its citizens or subjects
in respect of the conditions or charges
OF traffic or otherwise. Such condi-
tions and charges of traffic should be
just and equitable"
The British contention has been thai
the clause Of entire equality" was tc
be taken literally. but the Panama
canal act while providing equality o1
tolls on ocean-going traffic exempted
American coastwise vessels.
Sir Edward Gray protested against
the exemption as contrary to the Ian
guage Of the treaty.
Mr.. Knox, while secretary Of state
under the past administration. replied
to Sir Edward Gray, but the attitude
Of the present administra ton has moi
been generally known up to the time
Of the presidents conference with sen
ators last night. when from the opin.
ion Of those who conferred with him
Mr.. Wilson supports the view Of equal.
ity under the treaty.