The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-10
SENATOR LODGE
DEFENDS WILSON
IN TOLLS DISPUTE
Continued From First Pagc)

Mover before had our relations with
the various states of Central and South
America been so good. 1t seemed as
if the shadow Of suspicion which, owing
to our dominant ana IT times domincer-
ing power. had durkCntd and chilled
our relations with the people OF Latin
America had NJ last been lifted. This
great position ana this commanding in
huenCc HAY" been largely lost. am
not in the councils of the President OF
the United states. but I believe that
during the past year the present po-
sition of the United States in lis for
eirn relations has become very APP
pnrsnt to him, rs IL has 10 other re-
sponsible ana rejecting men, and with
this appreciation OF our present posi-
ton has come the earnest wish to re-
trace some of our steps at least, ana
10 regain. SO far as possible. the high
plane which We formerly occupied. IL
would be an obvious improprtety To
point out the specific conditions OF our
tions, both in the Old World ana the
New. II is enough to note the tact
that we are regarded by other nations
with distrust and In som. eases with
dislike. Rightly or wrongly. they havc
come to believe that We are not to be
trusted. that we maxi our iuterna-
and treat them rs II they We're in no
wise different from questions of do
nestle legislation. This has not been
in accord with our history or our po.-
sition. Only once have No abroEatcd
a treaty and then actual ii not de-
ciarcd war existed.
we nave StlnlNiONSlN observed our
international agreements, and where
differences HAY. arisen We have settled
them not with the hand Of power, but
by negotiation and arbitration.
Opinions OF other Nations.
Il suppose that at this moment in
the midst OF the adroitly stimulated
passions raised against the Presidents
recommendation mat We should repeal
the toll exemption, IL Will he thought
very poor-spirited and even truckiins-
| believe that is the accepted word
I,Cllinn
tion We should take into consideration
the opinions OF other nations. Never
thcless. consider this very important
clement in any decision which ! may
reach. and l am encouraged TO believe
that ! am right in SO thinking. be-
cause have the warrant and authority
of the author OF the Declaration of In
dependence. When Jefferson framed
that great instrument he declared that
Declaration was "a decent respect Ia
the opinions OF mankind
The long delay in the ratification
by the Senate Of the treaties renewing
tn. arbitration treaties of l"ON pro-
duced a Widespread feeling among 9TH
Ter nations that our championship OF
the principle of arbitration and our
loud boasts OF our devotion to the cause
of peace were the mcrcst hypocrisy.
because We seemed ready TO abandon
the cause OF arbitration when it looked
as If our treaties might bring us TO tn.
arbitration of questions which did
not desire 10 have decided by an i'm
The President renewed tho arbitra-
ZION treaties, and nnally, after u della Y
which, az | have said aroused unplels-
ant suspicious. those which have been
sent to the senate have been ratified.
This was the Presidents drst step. as
looked at 1t, in his effort TO restore
United states, which he had found to
be impaired. The. second step is his
toll-eXemption clause of the canal act.
outcrS u tnw"rthS.
The outcry. about exhibiting sub
serviency to Great Britain OF any other
country because Ne see ut to repeal the
tolls seems TO me hardly worthy OF
serious consideration The United
states is altogether TOO great ana 100
powerful to be subscrNient To any one.
ana INC mere fact OF suggesting il
seems TO me 10 indicate an uneasy
suspicion on the part of those from
whom II eInanatcs. not only Of tho va
Idity or their position. but of the
iry, as 10 which /. for one. am troubled
by no doubts.
AS | have listened TO some recent
stirring declarations Of our utter fear
i"SSNeSS, OF our readiness to face a
world In arms. In, defense Of toll ex-
cMptIon, about which noble cause no
country would think OF lighting there
nave been moments when have mar
relcd as thought of the GOODNESS and
indifference with which we have con-
tciupiatcd the murder OF more than
100 Americans not many miles from our
own border.
The violated rights, the nnavenged.
me almost unnotiCed deaths OF those
innocent people have seemed to make
heroes about canal tolls. whore there
of place"
~ opening his address senator
-odse rehcarsed tn" history OF tho
1lundei OF the clayton Bulwtr treaty.
wh!ch he SAID had committed the
Win future trouble. He told OF the
various steps by which The Hav.
'a LAY treaty had been reached
ana OF The later adoption Of the excnp-
ZION clause in the regulations
Legal Itirhi Ia Exempt.
an OF op'ni"n;' he said, that
LEGAL right I" exempt our own vcs-
sels. no matter what trade they are .u .
gaHcd in In my view. If we admit mat
We have not the legal right 10
gagged In foreign trade. We have no
nfhi 70 exempt or refuse to collect
ever that "" have the legal right TO
exempt or refuse 20 collect tolls from
( ull vessels 81 the United States"
/ After recitlng his own connection
/ win the treaty negotiations, Senator
/ Lodge continued:
I Il took the view then that under mo
! terms ~ the treaty OF November is.
! 1901, the United states was at libertv
! 10 exempt It's own vessels OF commerce.
from the payment OF tolls If IL saw M
so 30 SO, and voted against the barred
amcndmcnt which made ,his right cx
b puG't' because ! thought IT needless
1T Is clear that III" United states
I mas TthuullN, ana In accordance with
, INC terms of the treaty. built the canal
through territory which is its own for
. canal purposes. although the ultima .
/ S"N"rrlEni% remains with the republic
/ OF tHnnua. and the treaty acCords t.
/ me United states all rights incident
( L" building the canal !, Is also clear
/ mat III undertaking the canal on thcs.
! terms tn" United States did SO with
{ he purpos" OF excluding all foreign
control beyond the stipulation to pre-
scrN" the general principle OF ncu-
B tralization ana tor equality OF terms
, 90 al users % the canal
ihoS" who deny the right of tn.
. United states TO exempt It's own YES.
sells rest their case on the language
~ nrNclc 3. WhlCh doclnrcs thnt: