New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-11
BRYAN Admits Concession
Granted in Treaty
Signed at Bogota.
GIVES ANTI-WILSON
SENATOR'S A WEAPON
Argue That II Strips England's
Claim of Validity-Root
Backed 1t In 1909.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau J


Washington, April 1O.-Free use or
the Panama Canal by Colombian men
of-war, troop ships and army and navy
supply vessels is proposed in the new
treaty between the United States and
Colombia, signed at Bogota on Tues
day. TO heal the breach between the
two countries over the separation or
Panama.
This was announced tonight by Sec
rotary Bryan, with the explanation
that the clause in the convention was
identical with one In the Colombian
treaty negotiated by Secretary Root In
1909, with the approval of Great Brit
ain. and ratified by the United States
Senate, though never accepted by
Colombia.
Mr.. Bryans statement followed
long conference at the State Depart
ment with Senator O'Gorman, chair
man OF the Senate Canals Committee,
which has under consideration the ad-
ministration bill repeating the clause Of
the Panama Canal act exempting
American coastwise shipping from
canal tolls.
Senator O'Gorman, who Is leading the
Democratic opposition 10 President
Wilson's repeal policy. went back to
the Capitol carrying new ammunition
for his fight. He would not discuss the
matter, but other opponents Of exemp-
ton pointed to the fact that Great
Britain in 1909 had agreed TO preferen-
tial treatment for Colombian vessels
because Of Colombia's peculiar relation
10 the canal as evidence that Great
Britain and President Wilson now are
putting a new construction on the
words "all nations" IN the clause OF the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty guaranteeing
equal treatment TO the vessels of the
nations Of the world using the canal.
Their claim Is that these words were
not intended to apply to the United
States. the owner of the canal, and
they will urge the admission Of Great
Britain in the Colombian matter as
proof.
Mr.. Bryan said the treaty signed at
Bogota employs the language of the
Root-Cortes ship canal treaty granting
the use Of the waterway TO "the troops,
materials for war and ships Of war of
the Republic of Colombia without pay
ing any duty to the United States, even
in case Of an international war be-
tween Colombia and another country"
When the new treaty has been rati-
fed. Mr. Bryan explained, II will be
necessary TO conclude a treaty between
Colombia and Panama. He would not
say whether the acceptance by all con-
cerned of the tripartite treaties would
solve all the problems pending between
Panama, Colombia and the United
States. nor would he give any further
hint of the provisions of the latest Co
lombian treaty, which will be made
public next Wednesday.
Because no witnesses were ready to dis
cuss the canal tolls problem Chairman
OGorman of the Senate Committee on
Interoceanio Canals adjourned public
hearings on tne mouse exemption Repeal
bill until Monday.
II is expected that Senator O'Gorman's
committee will hold the bill at least two
weeks. After 1t Is reported the real de-
bate In the Senate will be on and the
best guessers now look for a vote by
June /.
Meanwhile the charge is being made
that the opponents OF changes in the
trust laws are behind the delay OF the
tolls measure and that by continuing the
strife over this bill they will head off
trust legislation during the present ses-
sion OF Congress.
The tolls exemption advocate, are ind
ing difficulty in persuading some Of the
persons upon whom they had depended
10 be witnesses TO present their objec-
lions TO the repeal bill. Steamship own
ers have apparently decided they will
not strengthen their position by appear
ing before the committee.
Z. T. Chamberlain. Commissioner Of
Navigation, and Professor Huebner. OF
the University OF Pennsylvania. will ap-
pear on Monday and Senator Lewis at
the same time will be given an oppor-
-,gnity TO DISCUSS his substitute for the
..,aal hill