Evening star., 1914-04-19
Bristow Anglers Scott.

uoh was the root OF tfle present uil-
Guilty.
Bristow Angers Scott.
Senator Br:stow cndeavored to force
Mr.. Scott to admit that the Carnegie
Foundation was supporting the British
view of the Panama canal toll contro-
versy.
81 am not concerned about the stand
point of Great Britain. but of my own
eountry.' said DIR. Scott.
But when, in this controversy. You
take a position opposed 10 that of Your
own government as expressed by the
Congress and its executive officer. are
you rot taking sides with Great Britain?
persisted Senator Bristow.
Dr. Scott, before this question was put
by Senator Bristow. had been proceeding
in quiet tone to answer all interroga-
tions. But at the remark of the senator
from Kansas DIR. Scott suddenly became
intensely excited and. shaking his finger
at Senator Bristow. he said:
THE view | advocate is not the English
view. 1t is the correct American view in
the light of the origin and development
of the treaty. I will not sit here and be
told that | am advocating the view of
England"
Scott Refuses to Answer.
Senator Bristow put the question in an
other form. and sought to make the wit
ness admit that in advocating repeal of
the tolls subsidy ne was taking sides
with the opponents of his country.
II will not answer any question of that
kind" said DR. Scott
II see Mr.. Scott is sensitive in regard
to the English view retorted Senator
Bristow.
II am advocating what 1 believe to be
o~f r<aI r.
have done 50 whether or not Great Brit
ain made the slightest protest. I claim
the right as an American citfBens % ex-
press my own views on this question.
Senator Bristow told the witness he was
not attempting to restrict his rights. He
then asked Mr.. Scott:
Did you ever see the statement made
in the newspapers that but for the in
reference of the Carnegie Peace Found
alton in this controversy the matter
would have been. settled by diplomatic
I.eansT
DR.. Scott said he had never seen the
statement put exactly that way.
o'Gorman Puts ouesuon.
rs it not true that Mr. Knox had prac-
ticaiiy adjusted the matter with the Brit
ish government four days before Sen
ator Root made his speech favorable to
DR.. Scott said he had no knowledge of
such a thing.
Senator Bristow brought up a previous
statement of DIR. Scott that the Carnegie
Peace Society did not take part in con-
troversial questions. but confined itself
to the general peace propaganda. He
then read a list purporting to show the
numbers of copies of Senator Root s
speech that had been sent out to mer-
chants. farmers. druggists, manufactur-
ers and others. aggregating 100000.
When your society sends out a docu-
ment of that character characterizing
the position taken by your government
erroneous. are you not taking part in
a controversy more likely to create in
ternational disturbance than to relieve
it?''
II should object. if that conclusion
were true" answered DIR. Scott.
Colombian Treaty Discussed.
The new treaty with Colombia. recent
~ signed at Bogota the terms of which
were made public in Paris Friday, was
interjected into the canal tolls hearing
by Senator Simmons of North Carolina,
who defended the new treaty and de-
clared that it was substantially the same
as that negotiated in 1903 by Senator
Root then Secretary of State.
Mr.. Simmons sought to introduce into
tho record Of the Panama tolls hearing
correspondence between 1Tedt brltdiil
and the United States regarding the right
OF the United States to grant tolls
exemption to Colombian warships. pro-
posed in a treaty. pending in 1900. which
dealt with Colornbia's rights in the canal.
When Senator Bristow insisted introduc-
ton of parts of the correspondence was
not wise. Senator Simmons Withdrew it.
hut after a conference with Secretary
Bryan made it public.
The correspondence disclosed that Great
Britain was about to protest against ex-
emption of Colombian warshps> as in
contravention Of the Hay-Pauncefot<
treaty granting equality TO ships of al
nations. After a considerable exchange
of notes Great Britain announced sine
would forego making such protest
Secretary of State Root. in letter con-
tanned in the correspondence. based tho
right of the United States to grant sucf
exemption upon the entirely special ant
exceptional position of Colombia toward
the canal and title thereto
Mr.. Root pointed out that, under
former treaty with Colombia, made a
the time the Isthnus of Panama wa.
part OF Colombia. she had been guar
anteed the free passage Of her war yes
sells through the canal
He referred to the circumstances unde
which Colombia and the republic of Pan
anna had become separate countries. H
argued that. because of the peculia
claims Of Colombia. the exemption o
her war vessels from tolls should be con
tinued.
Waiver of Great Britain.
The then ambassador from Great Bri
tain. Mr.. Brice, in a final letter to Sec
retary of State Bacon. in February, 1901
aaid.