Evening star., 1914-05-11
Restrictions in Use of Canal.

The canal shall be free and open to
the vessels of commerce and OF war of
all nations observing these rules is the
language of the grant. he continued
quoting the rules which relate to war he
submitted that they did not apply to the
United States.
Has the United States Mr. Knox in
CURED. bound itself not TO use the canal
II II should exercise a right of war or act
~ hostility within it: if il should revictual
ITS ships or take stores in the canal: if
u should embark or dsembark troops
within the canal: if It's vessels of war
should remain within the waters longer
than twcnty-four hours, and if so. who is
going to enforce these rules upon the
United States. and will our obedience to
them he compelled by the guns we are
planting there for the protection of the
canal Docs not such a view of our
rights invite all other nations TO war with
us it We. during an actual state of war,
use the canal for any military purpose?
In short. should We not thus make all
nations the allies of our immediate ad-
versarv if We have agreed with all ma
tions through Great Britain that the rules
We prescribe for the use of the canal
apply to ourselves, the grantors Of the
use
Sir Edward Grey" Mr. Knox con-
tinued. seeks to avoid the application to
the United States of all the rules in
article Ill. except rule l. by saving, Now
that the United States has become prac-
teal sovereign OF the canal. his majes-
ty S government do not question its title
10 exercise beiligerent rights for its pro-
lection That is to say. our subsequently
acquired sovereignty automatically ex-
cmpts us from the application of five of
the rules to be observed by all nations as
It condition for the use of the canal. but
our ownership plus our sovereignty does
. yp cxcruDf ls from the other
Right to Promote Commerce.
Now II the right to protect the canal
and the right TO protect ourselves by ex-
crcising privileges in and about the canal,
denied to other nations by our rules is
an incident to our sovereignty and thus
ing Of the general words all nations the
right TO promote our domestic commerce
in a field exclusively its own is an Incl
dent OF sovereignty and ownership hav-
ing the same effect. To deny the free
use OF our own canal for our own vessels
sovereignty as to deny our right to exer-
Else acts of belligerency in and for its
| protection. And the implication that we
have not surrendered one OF these SOW
rreign powers BY the use of the words
/ all nations is just as strong under the
1 first rule, which is our contention. as il Is
Inder the other five which is Sir Ed
ward Grey's contention.
/ Mr. Knox reviewed the history OF the
\ negotiations during his administration
over the British protest, the proposal OF
! arbitration, declaring that it was never
| contemplated ''at any period in the his.
I tory Of the isthmian undertaking that
| Great Britain should be on terms oil
! equality with the owner OF the canal
lie maintained that the position taken by
! President Taft. as written into the laws
4 hy Congress lis as sound now as then
and that time confirms its wisdom, is
r PATRIOTISM and strength.
+ This position he summarized thus:
I ''As Great Britain has no interest III III.
I canal itself but only in the use OF IN.
canal. the United States should not ad
! INIT that the HayPauncefote treaty i'm
\ posed limitations upon the freedom OF ac
ton OF the United States TO legislat,
upon matters not affecting Great Britain.
/ use or the terms upon which her use l.
4 10 be enjoyed And IN the absence OF al
legation or proof that the canal act. itsel
or the President under authority OF tn,
act, has as a fact by exempting coast
wise vessels from paying tolls or other
wise. imposed terms upon the British us'
or charges for such use that otherwis,
Eriti~h vessels would not have been com
p.3lcd to meet or To pay. I'll" freedom o
N action Of the United States IN lcSislatne
respecting its own coatsvise trade is no
restrained.