Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-06

Washington. March D. - President Wilson went to congress today and pleaded for repeal of the provision of the Panama canal act which exempts American coastwise shipping from tolls. He tersely asserted that he asked the repeal because everywhere except in the United States the tolls exemption was regarded as a violation of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, and he further asked it in support of the ad- ministration's general foreign policy.
 Favorable Action Expected.
 That the presidents request will be granted seemed virtually certain to- night, despite the fact that there VII! be vigorous opposition to the repeal both in the senate and the house. Initiative action in the matter will be taken tomorrow when the house intel state and foreign commerce committee will meet to consider the message. It was stated tonight that this commit tee would report a bill to repeal fatly the exemption provision.
 In the senate today Senator Chiffon, a democratic member of the inter- oceanic canals committee, introduced an amendment to the canal act which gives the president authority to make or suspend tolls by prOcIama- ton and to prescribe tolls in cases eX- empted. This would put it up directly to the president to eliminate the ex- emption.
 PhraseeIoey Occasions Comment.
 Aside from the bearing of today's message on the Panama tolls question, some of the phrases used by the presi- dent attracted widespread comment in congressional quarters as relatfn~ to foreign relations in general. There was a disposition to regard some of his statements as in the nature of a warning on the difficulties involved in 'other matters of even greater delicacy and nearer consequence"
 Later in the day the president him self in talking with callers, explained that these phrases had no significance beyond their bearing on the need of rigorous good faith in the Panama (" question, as an evidence of unwavering good faith on all other questions, and that nothing radical was pending in foreign relations. But the language of the message continued to be com- mented upon as having an application considerably broader than the Panama question.
 Three points in particular were noted:
 "Other Matters of GraVer DeIicacy."
 First, the presidents statement that no communication he had yet address ed to carry on the 'graYer or more far-reaching implications to the inter est of the country" second, that ev- anywhere outside the United States the language of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty was given only one interpretation; and, third, the concluding statement as to 'other matters of even greater delicacy and nearer consequence"
 The president further told his callers that while he had never received any formal communications on the subject, he had understood that European na- tionS generally took the same view as did Cra9t Britain That thn Pauncefote treaty was violated by the Panama canal act. He pointed out that in dealing with foreign affairs nations which believed the United States did not keep a promise on so important a treaty as the Hay-Pauncefote conven- tion would not be likely to be sincere on other delicate questions.
 No Pressure by Foreign Governments.
 Word had come to the president of a general impression in Europe that the United States was sailing as close to the wind as possible in interpreting promises made in its treaties. No pressure had been brought to bear by any nation to emphasize their view in this connection. but the president felt that foreign governments had this feeling on the subject.
 Comment of Leaders.
 Some of the leaders in congress, in cluding Majority Leader Underwood, of the house, who oppose the repeal, had no comment to make. Many sen ators and congressman praised the message. Others indicated that they would support the repeal, though they did not agree with the presidents po Sition
 T voted for toll exemption" said Senator Kern, democratic leader in the senate. "If I vote for the repeal it will not be because I have changed my views. I do not believe that toll exemption violates the Hay -Pauncefote treaty. If I support the presidents re-