The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1914-02-25
THE CANAL TOLLS QUESTION

According to press dispatches from
| Washington, the proposed repeal of
the exemption clause in the Panama
canal act is causing quite a commo-
ton in political circles. The law. as
enacted by congress, allows American
vessels to pass through the canal
without payment of tolls levied upon
foreign shipping, but the British gov
eminent claims this exemption vic.
lates the provision of a treaty that
guarantees equal rights to British
merchantmen.
This claim is recognized by Presi-
dent Wilson and his advisers as we'll
founded, and efforts are being made
to secure the repeal of the exemption
clause by congress-; but several mem
bers of the senate and house are said
to be strongly opposed to such a
course. . 1t is not a partisan ques-
ton, at this stage of the game, differ
ences of opinion being entertained by
members Of each political party.
One of the obstacles to an adjust
ment of the trouble is the fact that
the Baltimore platform, in plain words
committed the democratic party to the
exemption of American coastwise ship
ping from canal tolls, and opponents
of the proposed repeal contend that
pledge is just as binding or the party
as the tariff revision, currency reform
and other planks OF the platform upon
which the present administration was
given control of national affairs. On
the other hand, the advocates of re-
peal declare it would be better to re-
pudiate a platform pledge than to
violate a treaty obligation.
In discussing this question in the
senate, several democratic senators
became somewhat heated in their re-
marks. Most of this agitation and
the claim that toll exemption for
American coastwise ships violates the
Hay-Paunceforte treaty is being in.
spired and kept alive by the Canadian
Pacific railway" said Senator O'Gor-
"The Canadian Pacific secur
ed the aid of the British government
in the attempt to make it's protest ef-
fective. If we surrender on this point
of tolls, the next protest of Great
Britain will be that the exclusion of
Canadian railroad owned ships from
the use of the canal along with the
| American railroad-owned ships vio-
lates the treaty"
Even more emphatic in opposition
to the presidents policy is Senator
Chamberlain, democrat, of Oregon.
ut seems to me-" said the Oregon SEN
ator, that the time has come when
we ought to take a firm stand with
Great Britain as we have with Japan
and insist upon our right to control
our International affairs in whatso-
ever manne we may see fit. If we
have to fight to maintain our rights
we might as we'll do it now as to yield
to the demands of every foreign pow
er and practically fetter the COM
merce between the United States and
every quarter of the globe. l believe
in peace, but it ought not to be pur-
chased at the expense of national in
tegrity and honor. A law which was
enacted at the demand of the business
of the whole country ought not to be
disturbed because of the protest of
Great Britain or any other power"
Although the proposed repeal of the
canal tolls exemption clause is ad'
vanced as an administration measure,
it is said to be favored by several re
publican congressman who believe
treaty obligations should be respect
ed. There are many politicians, how
ever, who regard the question as ar
embarrassing dilemma from which
they would be glad to escape.