The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-13
Resolution Of Inquiry
Adopted by Senate
Without Debate.
SEEKS TO PROCURE
COPY OF ADDRESS
Alleged Public Assertions Re.
ferred to Monroe Doctrine and
Panama Canal-No Official
Comment at White House.
Author Of Remarks Is
Much Surprised.

Washington. March 1c-Waltcr Hines
Page, American ambassador to Great
britain, was made the target of inquiry
to-day In resolution adopted by tho
Senate, calling on the Secretary of
state 10 investigate alleged public as
sertions by the ambassador relative to
the Monroe Doctrine and the Panama
Canal.
Senator Chamberlain, aroused over
reports or speech by Ambassador
Page last night In London before the
Associated Chamber OF Commerce. in
troduced the resolution, and his re-
quest for immediate consideration re-
suited in It's adoption without debate
The resolution requests the Secretary
of State 10 procure n copy for the use
of tho Senate of Ambassador Pages
address. and to call on the ambas sador
for evidence on which he based the
alleged statement that "it added great
lv TO the pleasure of the people OF the
United States in the building OF tho
Panama Canal to know that the British
would profit most by it's use"
Verbatim Report Requested.
Particular request is made for YER
batim report OF that portion of tho
ambassadors address in which he is
reported TO have defined the Monroe
Doctrine as meaning merely that tho
United states would prefer that no
European governments would gain
more land in the New World"
After the resolution had been adopt
eel. Senators heard OF dispatches from
London saying the ambassadors speech
was delivered cXtemporaneously late in
the evening, and not reported verbatim
and quoting Mr.. Page as explaining
that his reference to British use Of the
Panama Canal was in a light vein It
was taken for granted at the Capitol
however, that In response TO the state
Departments request. the ambassador
would furnish his recollection OF just
what he had said, with the desired eN-
PLANTATION.
No attempt 10 oppose the resolution
was made when Senator Chamberlain
offered it. the usual custom being to
pass such measures matter of
course. Later In the day u similar res
olution was introduced the House
by Representative Mu:. - Oklaho-
ma, n Democrat. but it .ot get be-
fore the body for discus n or action
No official Comment.
There was no official comment on
the speech or action of the Senate In
an Informal discussion at the White
House, however President Wilson in
dicatcd that the Monroe Doctrine WAS
as much part OF the American for
tign policy to-day hundred years
ago. Iio did not express an opinion
concerning the ambassadors speech
The Senate resolution had not reach
ed Secretary Bryan Tonight. Accord
ing TO custom, If Ambassador Page
does not forestall the action by vol
unfairly forwarding AN explanation OF
the Incident the resolution Will be
cabled tomorrow as soon rs t is sent
10 the State Department.
Representative Murray's resolution
would ask the State Department wheth-
er "a new American policy of subject
ing American wealth to the selfish in
tcrests of the nations of Europe" is
the fundamental reason for the de
mand to repeal the law now in force
cXemptinS American vessels conduct
ing q coastwise trade from canal tolls"
Page is Much Surprised.
London. March 12.-Walter Hines
Page, United States amba ssador was
much surprised when told to-d;.y of
the Senate resolution in connection
with his speech last night. He declined
to discuss the matter until he had re-
ceived an official demand for an ex-
planation. He put the question to tho
interviewer:
The speech was innocent enough.
wasn't it?'
Asked whether objection might be
taken to the last sentence OF his
speech. referring To the Panama Canal,
Mir. Page replied that THAT was At pleas
antry.
The ambassadors remarks were eX-
tcmporancous. and no verbatim reports
differ slightly in the wording Of the
ambassadors rcmarks regarding Pan
anna and Central -Amcrican questions
Ambassador Page said that the most
accurate report OF his speech was con
tanned in the Daily Telegraph from
which the essential parts are quoted
verbatim as follows:
The people OF the United States re-
gardcd the british empire as the
guardian Of freedom in all parts OF the
world and as promoter OF trade.
Refers To Panama CnnnI.
'lio would not say that the United
states had constructed the Panama
Canal FOR the British people. but it
added greatly TO the pleasure OF build
Ing II that tho British people would
make the most profit out OF it.
lie could say IL similar thing about
the recent lowering OF tho American
tariii. II was not lowered in order 70
please the british people. but because
II was considered economically sound.
Nevertheless. IL added TO the pleasure
Of doing 1t whom lie reflected that
America would thereby receive more
trade from this country.
MFR. Page here made a length refer
cncc to the trading between England
and America, especially in cotton
about which he said:
"I hope In future II will be sent
here In better grading and better
shape
"rhe ambassador proceeded that he
wished to correct an impression about
the attitude OF the United states gov
ernnent concerning british Investments
IN states in Central Aucrca with
volcanic tendencies ttc sometimes read
that the United states was entering
eron policy TO discourage foreign In
Nestments. There was a policy form
\