Evening star., 1914-04-09
LODGE |NDORSES
WILSON'S POLICY
Massachusetts Senator Ad-
vocates Abrogation of Ex-
emption Clause in Act.
GRANTS UNITED STATES
ALL RIGHTS OF CONTROL
Argues, However, That Decent Re
spect to Opinions of Mankind
Demands Prompt Repeal.

Demands Prompt Repeal.
Senator Lodge ranking republican
members of the foreign relations COM
mittee, addressed the Senate today In
support Of President Wilson's Panama
canal tolls policy. He maintained
vigorously the legal right of the
United States to exempt its shipping.
foreign as well as coastwise, from
tolls. but declared that "a decent re-
spect to the opinions of mankind" and
the "distrust and in some cases dis
like with which the United States is
regarded abroad demanded prompt re-
peal of the exemption clause of the
canal act
Whether we shall insist upon giving
to our ships two or three millions OF
dollars in disputed way Is, in my
conception, very small question COM
pared to the larger issues which are
here involved" said the senator. When
the year 1909 opened. the United
position among the nations Of the
earth than at any period in our his
tory. Never before had we possessed
such an influence in international af-
benehcently and for the worlds peace
in two conspicuous instances-at Ports
mouth and at Algeciras. Never before
had our relations with the various
been SO good. 1t seemed as If the
shadow of suspicion which, owing TO
our dominant and at times domineering
power. bad darkened and chilled our
America had at last been lifted.
Loss Of Position and Influence.
This great position and this COM
manding influence have been largely
lost I am not in the councils of the
President of the United States, but
believe that during the past year the
present position of the United States
in It's foreign relations has become very
apparent to him, as it has to other re-
sponstble and 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. and
TO regain, SO far as possible. the high
plane which We formerly occupied
1t would be an obvious improperly
to point out the specific conditions of our
present relations with the various ma
tons, both in the old world and the new
1t is enough to note the fact that we
are regarded by other nations with dis
trust and in some cases with dislike.
Rightly or wrongly, they have come to
believe that We are not to be trusted
tnat We make our international relations
the sport of politics and treat them as
If they were in no wise different from
questions of domestic legislation.
This has not been in accord with our
history or our position. Only once have
We abrogated a treaty, and then actual,
If not declared. war existed. We have
scrupulously observed our international
agreements, and where differences have
arisen We have settled them, not with
the high hand Of power. but by negotia-
ton and arbitration.
An Element in the Discussion.
II suppose that at this moment, in
the midst of the adroitly stimulated pas
sions raised against the Presidents rec
If We should repeal the
toll exemption it will be thought very
poor spirited and even truckling-I be-
lieve that is the accepted word-to sug-
gest that in deciding this question we
should take into consideration the opin-
ions of other nations. Nevertheless,
consider this very important element
in any decision which ! may reach. and
l am encouraged to believe that I am
right In SO thinking. because I have the
warrant and authority of the author of
the Declaration of Independence. When
Jefferson framed that great instrument
he declared that the impelling reason for
making the declaration was a decent re-
spect to the opinions Of mankind
The long delay In the ratification by
the Senate of the treaties renewing the
arbitration treaties Of 1908 produced a
feeling among other nations
that our championship of the principle
of arbitration and our loud boasts of our
devotion to the cause of peace were the
merest hypocrisy. because we seemed
ready to abandon the cause Of arbitra-
ton when 1t looked as II our treaties
might bring us to the arbitration OF ques-
tons which we did not desire to have
decided by an impartial tribunal.
Arbitration Treaties Renewed.
The President renewed the arbitration
treaties, and finally, after a delay which.
as 1 have said. aroused unpleasant sus-
picions, those which have been sent to
the Senate have been ratified. This was
the President first step. as I looked
at 1t. In his effort to restore the influence
and reputation Of the United States, which
he had found to be impaired. The second
step Is his recommendation Of the repeal
Of the toll-exemption clause of the cana
act
THE outcry about exhibiting sub.
eerviency to Great Britain or any othel
country because we see fit to repeal the
tolls seems to me hardly worthy of seri-
Gus consideration. The United States Ii
altogether too great and too powerful
to be subservient to any one. and the
mere fact OF suggesting 1t seems to me tt
indicate an uneasy suspicion on the par'
Of those from whom 1t emanates not only
of the validity of their position. but o,
the power and greatness of their owl
country. as to which I, for one, an
troubled by no doubts
"As l have listened to some recent stir
ring declarations of our utter fearlessness
of our readiness to face a world in arms
noble cause no country would think o.
fighting, there have been moments wher
I have marveled as / thought of the cool
ness and Indifference with which we hav,
contemplated the murder Of more thar
$50 Americans not many miles from oul
own border. The violated rights. the un
avenged, the almost unnoticed deaths o.
those innocent people have seemed Il
make heroics about canal tolls, wher,
there is no peril to any one, peculiarl,
out OF place"
Rehearses Canal History.
In opening his address Senator Lodg,
rehearsed the history Of the canal ne
gotiations previous to the blunder o.
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. which, h.
said, had committed the United States
to obligations pregnant with future trou
BILE. He told of the various steps b,
which the Hay-Pauncefote treaty haf
been reached and of the later adoption
of the exemption clause in the reguIa
tions.
Il am of opinion" he said, that unde,
the terms of the treaty We have a lega
ter what trade they are engaged in II
NV view If We admit that We have mn