The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-15
BRYAN on PANAMA ISSUE.
SECRETARY DISCUSSES REPEAL
OF TOLLS EXEMPTION.
considers PlatfOrm-TwO Planks Must
be Studied. Right of the President
Explained.

Bryan in a statement made public
today lengthily reviews the Panama
tolls question, and in the course of
the statement declares that the re-
peal OF the tolls exemption in the
Panama canal act "can not be con-
strued to be a construction of the
Hay-PauncefOte treaty." but is "sim-
ply refusal on the part Of the United
States to raise that question in that
way"
Mr.. Bryan discusses various fea-
| lures of the subject--the limiting of
debate in the house of representa-
tives. the Baltimore platform and the
effect OF repeal on the treaty.
Claiming that the opponents OF the
repeal had seized upon the charge
that the president was "surrendering
to England" Mr.. Bryan declared that
the opposition to the repeal had at
tempted to appeal Ito prejudice
| rather than to reason"
What has Great Britain DONE" he
| asked, ito justify the accusation that
she is trying to dictate to this coun-
try? She has simply called attention
to the terms of the treaty, and ask
ed for arbitration of the question of
construction, in case this government
in the construction to be placed upon
the language. The very men who are
so insistent upon constituting the
| treaty to permit free tolls delayed
for months the ratification of the
| treaty with Great Britain because of
| their opposition to any arbitration OF
the subject? In other words, they
| construed the treaty to permit dis
| elimination, and then objected to al
lowing any international court to ex-
press an opinion on the subject. If,
as a matter OF fact, the treaty grants
the rights which Great Britain
| claims, is it a surrender to Great
Britain for our nation to repeal a
law that raised that question? The
| repeal Of the law can not be con-
strued to be q construction Of the
| treaty. 1t is simply refusal on the
part Of the United States to raise that
| question in that way In the con-
| troversy over the Welland canal, Can
ada withdrew a discrimination which
she had made in favor Of Canadian
ships, in order chat no cause cor
friction with thc United alatce al
thor!.es in regord 10 the matter
should exist
why can not The United states
withdraw a discrimination for the
same reason When the treaty in
volved was before the senate for
ratification an attempt was made to
so amend it as to permit discrimi-
| nation in favor Of coastwise ves-
sells. but it was voted down by a de-
| cided majority. With this record to
support them, is it strange that for
eign nations question our right to
make an exception in favor Of Amer
lean vessels?
Discussing the presidents right to
expect the support Of congress when
he deals with international questions,
Secretary Bryan adds:
THE chief executive speaks for the
| nation in international affairs, and
| it is only fair to assume that he
speaks advisedly when he declares
that intercourse with other nations
| is seriously embarrassed by the free
tolls law which he seeks to repeal.
I'VE occupy today a proud position
among the nations; we are the fore
most advocate Of peace and arbitra-
| ton; we are becoming more and more
| moral factor throughout the world.
| Can we afford to surrender this posi-
| ton? Can We afford to belittle the
great enterprise which has reached its
consummation at the isthmus? II our
| nation desires to be measured by in
tellectual and ethical standards. how
| unworthy to brag of our strength and
TO threaten to use that strength. We
| ire ready to fight does not arouse the
| enthusiasm now that it did few CEN
turies ago. Brute force is not the
| level upon which this nation settles its
| controversies today. The question Is
| not what we can do but what we ought
| to do. The path Of history is strewn
| with the wreck OF nations that boasted
| that they were all powerful. This
question must be decided on moral
principles and not by the counting of
our regiments and battleships. What
| shall it profit a nation If it cOnquers
| the whole world and loses it's faith in
the doctrine that righteousness ex-