Evening journal., 1914-05-28
SENATOR DUPONT RAISES NEW POINT
AGAINST TOLLS EXEMPTION REPEALER

ed, we will have needlessly sacrificed
our liberty OF action. and viii be COM
PEELED to depend upon direct money
subsidies n It be found necessary
hereafter to help our merchant ma
rine.
Mr. President, the past and especial.
" the present administration has taken
such strong ground in regard to the
arbitration of all differences which may
arse between ourselves and other ma
tions, that il was a matter Of very great
surprise to me that the message Of the
President OF the United States did not
recommend that the question in regard
70 the exemption OF tolls should be set
tied in this way. as proposed by the
British government. l, for one, would
be glad to see il referred for adjust.
ment to proper tribunal. The ques-
tion is difficult as well rs delicate. and
1t seems to me that arbitration would
be an eminwtly proper method OF
bringing about a settlement. but tn,
iaessage, while not making the slightest
reference to such course, simply
urges the absolute and unconditiona
repeal OF the exemption of tolls so fai
as our coastwise vessels are concerned
In making his recommendation.
which involves the legal Interpretation
of the Hay -Pauncefote treaty. the
President thereby absolutely reyerses
the judgment of the previous admins.
tration, which, it is Go be observed, was
especially equipped for the proper in.
I terpretation Of questions Of this char.
acter m view of the eminent legal at.
tainments of the former President and
/ former Secretary of State. both OF
whom have presented very full and com
plete arguments in explanation of their
1 conclusions While not disputng the
/ right OF President Wilson to take such
action "a he may think proper and Ia
/ ignore the attitude of the previous ad.
ministration, We may well consider for
! the moment the groimds upon which hs
demands the repeal of the act lie
states that in his own Judgment aftet
mature consideration, the act of Au.
gust "a, 1912, is in plain contravention
of the treaty with Great Britain con.
cerning the canal concluded on Novem.
] ber Is. 1901 but does not give us the
! legal reasons upon which his conclu.
sions are based. He next states that
his Interpretation of the treaty is in
/ accord with that of foreigners in gen.
eral, and that everywhere, except in the
United States. the language Of IN,
treaty is given but one Interpretation
and that Interpretation precludes tn,
exemption | am asking YOU to repeal.
He also refers TO the effect of the repea
upon the foreign policy Of the admins
trati0n. but his reference is 80 vagu,
that it is impossible TO draw any spe
cifo conclusions. In brief the messag,
/ pressingly urges Congress 10 absoutel,
reverse the position Il took two year
ago in regard 20 the exemption of on
coastwise trade from the payment o
tolls. ia Difference to public opinion
abroad and upon the Judgment o
President Wilson. Further. the mes
sage in question Is misleading and un
satisfactory. First: Because il fails :
make any mention Of the notes OF th
British government asserting that IN
Panama canal act OF 1912 violated IN
} Hay pauncefote treaty, which was III
origin of the whole controversy: am
second, because IL absolutely ignores n
/, British proposals TO settle the mattel
= in dispute hy arbitration.
ITO conclude. Mr. President.
should much prefer TO see the diffe
b ences OF opinion in regard TO the II
, depreciation Of the treaty settled by a
d bitrHtion. but II this be not possibl
after a very careful consideration (
the whole question. feel that
would not be justified in agreeing
E Internationally surrender. as is
. strongly urged by President wilso
e any legal or equitable rights whic
J the United States may possess in Il
4 premises, nor TO take a step whiC
r in my judgment impinges upon Il
dignity OF our country and upon q
1 self-respect of every American cit
d zen. I shall therefore vote again
:. the bill"