Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-18
CHARGES ''D|CKER"
WITH John BULL
Senator Jones Declares PreSI-
dent Has Reversed Self
on Canal Tolls.
DESIRES EXPLANATION
OF DEMAND FOR REPEAL
Declares That There Now Is More
at Issue Than Mere Charges
on Waterway.

Pointing out that the President had alb
solutely reversed himself on the question
of the Panama canal tolls within a year
and half and charging that the Presi-
dents demand upon Congress for the re-
peal Of the clause permitting the free
passage Of American coastwise vessels
through the canal was the result of a
''dicker' with Great Britain, Senator
Jones Of Washington today urged the
Senate to pass his resolution calling upon
the President for the reasons behind his
demand.
Senator Jones said:
Congress, by an overwhelming major
ity in 1912, passed a law eXempting Amer
ican coastwise ships from paying tolls on
going through the Panama canal. This
action was taken after a long and fnll
discussion. 1t was indorsed by and was
in accordance with the party platform
declaration Of every great political party.
Campaign Statements.
''It was expressly approved by Mr.. Will
son as the candidate OF the democratic
party for President Of the United States.
He took particular pains to tell the farm
ers of the country that free tolls would
be a great benefit to them in the regu-
lation of transcontinental railroad rates
and assured them that everything that
is done in the interest of cheap trans
portation is done directly for the farmer
as well as for other men, and to inn
press them with the friendly attitude of
the democratic party and its candidates
he assured them that our platform is not
molaSSeS to catch flies, it means business
and they who talk one way and vote
another are going to be retired to very
quiet and private retreat
! THE President must have thought.
then, that our action in exempting coast
wise ships was wise. just. beneficial and
honorable. He must have thought the
! meaning Of the treaty clear and plain.
| He now urges US by special message to
repeal this legislation. If We do SO it is
an irrevocable act. The burden OF tolls
| must rest forever on our coastwise ships
| unless we see fit to relieve all vessels
| from tolls. What argument does he pre-
| sent, what reason does he offer for his
| change OF view and for reversing our de-
| liberate legislative action? Absolutely
none.
Repeal Economic Blunder.
He says the exemption constitutes a
| mistaken economic policy from every
| point Of view He gives no reason he
cites no facts upon which to base this as
sertion so contrary to his pubic declara-
tion in the last campaign. I assert that
| its repeal will be a great economic blum
der and will benefit the Canadian Pacific
Railroad Company. Canadian interests
and the transcontinental railroad lines
and no others. and will injure more or
less every other interest in this country
1 snail present facts and argument prov
ing this assertion when this proposed leg
islat1on comes up for consideration
10 lou i, t,s11,
in plain contravention with the treaty
with Great Britain. but presents no argu-
ment whatever sustaining that conten-
ton. 1t Is mere dogmatic scholastic
statement contrary to the deliberate
judgment Of many Of the greatest minds
of the republic and to the deliberate de-
cision of this body by more than three
fourths majority. Had he not studied
the treaty before he made his campaign
speech; was he not familiar with its
plain terms then? Did he not then be-
lieve our action entirely consistent with
our national honor? Surely SO. mere
assertion to the contrary is not enough
now, but he should present the reasons
change his mind and now assert that
such exemption is contrary to the plain
terms of the treaty.
This exemption contravenes no treaty
obligations either in letter or in spirit
and therefore no question of national
honor is involved. 1t is solely an eco
nomic one and the interests of our own
people are alone to be considered.
Our Contention Upheld.
The President says that whatever may
be our differences. the meaning of the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty is not debated
outside the United States He is mis-
taken. Eminent men and powerful pub
locations in Great Britain have upheld our
contention. and for sixty years Great
Britain itself interpreted similar language
exactly as We do In this case
Senator Jones read from London Law
Review Of November. 1912, in which it
was said that the United States can offer
strong and convincing arguments in sup
port of the free tolls.
why should We reverse ourselves? No
reason is given save that others make a
different contention. Follow this policy
in this case and what excuse can we
offer for fortifying the Panama canal,
if objection is made? None.
Follow it and on what ground can we
prevent the warshipS of an enemy from
passing through it? None.
Follow it and on what ground would
we refuse to send our warShipS from the
within twenty-four hours in the face of
an overwhelming force of the enemy?
None.
Follow it and what excuse can We
give for refusing to arbltrate the QueS-
ton of admitting to our shores citizens
of other countries, however undesirable
to US? None.
Follow it and how can we refuse to
submit to court of arbitration the
question of the naturalization of unde-
sirable citizens from other countries?
None.
Could Set Up Claims.
Eve have passed treaties under which
other nations can set up just such
claims, and the doctrine of the Presi-
dent would inevitably compel US to ac-
cept their construction of such treaties.
There is more at issue now than the
matter of tolls. A large question faces
US, the integrity. the vital interest, the
sovereignty of the nation are involved.
The fact that we are big and powerful
does not require us to be craven. A
Just and firm insistence on our rights
will command respect and honor and
insure peace. A weak and puerile sub
mission to selfish demands will bring
ridicule, contempt and dtshonor and in
vite aggression.
THE message of the President is not
only remarkable for its lack of facts
dearth Of reason and for the sublime
assurance of the schoolmaster that the
boys will do what he wants, but it is
more rema rka BILE in its conclusion He saws