The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-10
LODGE PLEADS
FOR REPEAL BILL
senator Says, However, That
Il Treaty Permits Tolls
~ Exemption.
SPEECH ST1RS SENATE
He Declares Repeal Is En-
pedicnt to Remove Dis
trust of America.
ISSUE Is ABOVE PARTIES
United States Influence as
World Power Decreased by
:, Suspicion, He Asserts.

WAsHiNGroS, April s.--Senator Lodg,
Of Massachusetts made a notable speech
In the Senate to-day in support OF tho
Presidents policy in dealing with tho
Panama Canal tolls issue.
Senators regardless OF politics or OF
their attitude on the tolls bill declared
after Senator Lodge had concluded that II
was the most masterful address heard in
the Senate In recent years
The Senator from Massachusetts had a
large and attentive audience. Nearly
every Senator was in his seat and they
followed the speech attentively from the
beginning until Mr. Lodge had finished his
two hours discourse Then the Senator
received a tribute from his colleagues such
as has seldom been witnessed In the
Senate.
Democrats and Republicans alike
crowded around his seat and extended
congratulations. Even Senators who are
strongest in opposition to the repeal OF the
tolls legislation were among the first to
ofrer Fluctuations The Senator seemed
profoundly affected by the demonstration.
His embarrassment increased until finally
he fled from the chamber to escape APP
parently further compliments.
Fatigurd by the speech.
Senator Lodge showed some fatigue
after his long speech. His health has
not been Of the best since the serious
illness which gave SO much concern to his
friends last autumn.
In his address Senator Lodge. speak ng
from his intimate knowledge OF foreign
relations as veteran member OF the
Foreign Relations Committee, outlined the
conditions which he believed had moved
President Wilson to urge the tolls repeal
He, declared that the United states "a
now distrusted sad regarded with sus-
phton ~ the nations OF the earth, that
u occupies . peculiarly dangerous position
Of isolation and that Its bsnefcient In
hussee as . world Power has been
dwindline.
Mr.. Lodge called upon the senate 10
race these facts and. burying petty pol
ittcs. to support the President Tho SEN
ator gave II as his absolute opinion based
on personal participation in the events
leading up 70 the ratification OF the Hay
Pauncefote treaty. that the United States
had tite undoubted right to exempt from
the payment OF tolls not only it's coast.
wise. but also its overseh shipping. He
WAS opposed, however. to the exercising
% shis right because he deemed II highly
inexpedieat.
II was a member" sara senator Lodge
OF the Foreign Relations Committee OF
the Senate which reported the amend
ments to the first Hay-Psuncsfote treaty.
The Senator'S Participation,
II had some part in framing those
amendments, and owing to the death of
senator Davis. | was in charge of II,
treaty when. as amended. II was ratified
by the Senate
II so CHANGED that I was In London
when Mr. Choate and Lord Lansdowne
were concluding the negotiations which
resulted in the second Hay-Pauncefo,e
treaty ana l was familiar with the dis
customs which then took place
when the second Hay-pauncnro,e trea,y
was sent to the Senate II devolved upol
me 10 report the treaty to the Senate. /
mention these facts merely to show that
was IN position TO be familiar with al,
the proceedings which ultimately resulted
N the ratification OF the second Hay.
pauncefote treaty
81 took the view then that under the
terms OF the treaty OF November IL, 1901.
tne united states was at liberty TO exemnt
's own vessels OF com cree from the nav.
ment OF tolls II II saw nj to- DO so, and
tosed against the Bard amendment. which
mede this right explicit. because thought
1t needless.
"The opinion which ! formed in Ioo,
As 10 our rights under the treaty I have
.". vsr changed' l hold II now rs I did
thirteen years ago."
Senator Lodge said that in 1909 ,h.
Cn'ted states occupied a higher and
stronger position among the nations M
the earth than ever before.
"A world Power We had beer .c- rianv
iohe years. said he. but We had n,
Iast become world power in the finer
a x.st,
ton and benefcent influence were r,coo.
iized and desired by other nations in
those great questions which concerned
the welfare and happiness Of all man.
kind.
Great Position Largely Lost.
This great position and this COM
manding influence" continued senator
iodge, have been largely lost. am
not no, IN me councils of the President of
me united states, but ! believe that
curing the past year the present position
OF the United States In its foreign re.
ations has become apparent to him as
u mas 10 other responsible and reflect
ING men, ana with this appreciation OF
our present position has come the earnest
70 retrace some of our stems al
least and To regain, so far as possibIe
the nigh plane which we formerly oc
cuped
IT would be an obvious impronriety
10 point out the specific conditions OF
our present relations with the various
nations. both in the Old World and ,hn
Newi 1t is enough to note the fact thnt
we are regarded by other nations with
distrust and In some cases with dlslikc'
WghtIy or wrongly they have come
10 believe that we are not 20 be trusted
that we make our International relations
me sport or politics and treat them AS II
"a sDr an
Ions, OF domestic legislation.
IL Is not well for any country no
mhtter now powerful, 10 be AN outlaw
among the nations No, so many ycars