Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-05
Saws National Honor is in
yoIyed in Panama Tolls
Exemption.
REPEAL is IMPERATIVE
Predicted That Presidents Sug-
oestion for Change Will Be
Promptly Met.

Washington, D. L. March 0--fTeSl-
Amt Wilson personally appealed to
,ongress. assembled in ioint session
,o5.v. 10 sustain the national honor
n the United States in upholding the
treaty. obligations by repeating the Pa
,anaa tolls exemption, against which
Great Britain protests He asked con-
rrsss 10 do that "fn support OF tie
foreign policy OF the administration"
ard added that an exemption for
American ships not only was a mis-
taken economic policy but was in
eoutravention OF the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty.
I shall not know how to deal with
o,he- matters OF even greater dclicacy
and nearer consequence il you do not
grant il TO me in ungrudging meas
ure." said the president
The large thing TO do is the only
hing we can afford TO do; a voluntary
withdrawal from a position every
where questioned and misunderstood.
We ought 10 reverse our action with
cut raising the question whether we
we're right or wrong, and so once more
deserve our reputation for generosity
and the redemption of every obliga-
ton without quibble or hesitation"
President Wilson's address. the
shortest he has yet delivered TO con-
gress-exactly 42O words-was as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen OF the Congress: have
come TO you upon an errand which
can be very briefly performed. but l
beg that you will not measure its i'm
Dortance by the number of sentences
IN which l state il. No communica-
ton have addressed to the congress
carried with It gravcr or more far
reaching implications to the interest
Of the country, and / come now to
speak upon a matter with regard TO
which ! am charged in a peculiar de-
gree. by the constitution itself with |
PERSONAL responsibility.
Points Justice of Repeal.
4 have come to ask for the repeal !
Of that provision OF the Panama canal 4
act Of Aug "a. 1912. which exempts .
vessels engaged in the coastwise trade
Of the United States from payment of .
tolls, and to urge upon you the justice. |
the wisdom and the large policy OF
stness Of which I am capable.
In my own judgment, very fully
considered and maturely formed, tha:
exemption constitutes a mistaken eco
homie policy from every point OF view.
and Is moreover in plain contraven-
ton Of the treaty with Great Britain
concerning the canal concluded Nov.
Is, 1901 But / have not come to you
10 urge my personal views. / have
come 10 state TO you a fact and a situa-
uon- Whatever may be our own diff
ierences OF opinion concerning this
mucn-debated measure. its meaning is
not debated outside OF the United
states Everywhere else the language
Of the treaty IS given but one iDterpre
l@uon, and that Interpretation pre-
eiooes the exemption ! am asking you
70 repeal We consented TO the treaty
Us language We accepted. IL We did
hot originate IL; and we are too big,
700 powerful, too self-rcspectinR a ma
uon 10 interpret with too strained or
isnned reading the words OF our
ONn promises Just because we have
poNer enough to give US leave TO read
.nen as We please. The large thing TO
20 Is the only thing we can AFFORD TO
1o, voluntary Withdrawal from a po-
a1'lon everywhere uestioned and mis- ,
-noerstood. We ought TO reverse cur !
-aion without raising the question !
-nether We we're right or wrong. and
= once more deserve our reputation ,
O' generosity and the redemption Of
.'eV obligation without bubble or
,esitation.
|
ask this OF you in support Of the
''eisn policy OF the administration. =
snal not know how TO deal with
'Aer matters OF even greater deli
Acy and nearer consequence IL you
= not grant IL to me in ungrudging
neasure"
Galleries Crowded.
Long before the hour set for the
fesldents sixth personal address TO
Ae legislative branch OF the govern
-eht the capitol corridors were
.oHoed with men and women favored .
sries. d
me house chamber galleries were q
-c@ed The presidents message d
1s so brief he had finished reading y
most before the surprised galleries
.-IlSed he had begun The diplomatic n
''Ds were in a place reserved for u
.en. No official OF the British en- b.
-1sy was present n
me Joint session Was dissolved and u
major Chiffon, democrat, introduced q