Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-29
PRESIDENT
ACCUSED
SURRENDER
Of CANAL In
PACT
KnOwIand, in Speech in House,
Declares Visits Of Earl Grsys
Secretary to White House
Brought Change in Policy,
Quotes Parliament Member as
Telling London Public Wilson
Pledged Himself to Garry Out
Plans Satisfactory to Britain.


WASHINGTON, March 2s.-The
sensation OF days debate on Pres
ident Wilson's bill for the repeal Of
the free tolls clause OF the Panama
Canal act was a speech by Represent
tative Knowland, Of California. He
cited dates of alleged secret visits to
President Wilson made by sir Ed
ward Tyrrell. private secretary to the
British Foreign Minister, and quoted
concurrent facts to prove that the Ad.
ministration's policy Of requiring
American coastwise ships OF pay tolls
through the canal had been formed
since the date OF those visits.
Representative Knowland then at.
tackled Secretary Bryan and quoted
from g speech made at washington
Park, Pa. on May 10, 1918, in which
Mr.. Bryan upheld the sacredress OF q
party platform Mr.. Knowland cUn~-
cIuded BY saluting Sir Edward Grey
az THE greatest diplomat Of the age.
The galleries were damned with an
interested, expectant throng. Many
had come hoping to hear Speaker
Clark in the speech which his friends
believe will change many wagering
votes. but that effort is being reserved
for the last hours of the debate. Mr..
Clark's speech probably win be made
next Tuesday.
Rumors Of compromiss.
The danger OF party split that
can not be healed has given rise to
rumors Of compromise. Several
plans to this end are being discussed
tonight. One Of these plans is that
proposed by Senator j. Hamilton
Lewis. Of Illinois. VINO to-day intro
duced bill repeating the free toIls
clause. but giving the President au-
thority TO remit tolls for American
ships whenever he should deem 1t en-
pedient. This bill. however, is not
acceptable to either side.
Next to Representative Krowiand'n
speech the effort Of Representative
Fitzgerald OF Brooklyn. attracted the
most attention in to-dey's display %
oratoricai fireworks. Mr.. Fitzgeraid's
speech was a studied and scholarly
argument that the free passage Of
coastwise ships through the canal u
not in violation Of any treaty. He
reviewed the history OF American
shipping and quoted from eminent
British authorities in support OF his
position.
Representative O,shaunessy. OF
Rhode Island. aroused some applause
when he said:
1T is claimed that free tolls Is IN
the interest Of shipping monopoly
The law declares all monopoly to be
illegal. II there is such a monopoly.
why is It not prosecuted2 All
branches OF the Government are in
the hands Of the Democrats. with
such monopoly destroyed. this ar
gument would fall"
EnsIishmen Like Stevens Speech.
Representative Stevens, Of Minne-
sofa, made the strongest argument Of
the day in behalf Of the Presidents
bill. Two English newspaper writer's
who were present were SO impressed
by II that they fastened over to con-
graduate him.
Congressman Knowland said In
part:
Diligently seeking information,
have brought to light certain facts
which shall now cite, permitting tho
American people to draw their own
conclusions and make their own de-
auctions The circumstances shall
relate are highly significant in their
bearing upon the question at issue.
"on November Z. 1918, Sir Edwa1a
Tyrrell. secretary to Sir EdwGud
Grey, visited the President and hadSa
private interview. On November ~
he was again received at the whito
House and granted another interv1sus
20 was Sunday II Il not
the practice Of the President TO d.
cuss oficial affairs on Sunday win
anyone except members Of his cahanet