The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-08
This Is View Held by Many Democrats of Wilson's
 Special Message
BUT CONGRESS WILL
 PROBABLY AID HIM
View Is That England Is Taking Unfair Advantage by Putting Price on Her Support
 in Mexico
By c. E, STEWART.

ny ts sIEWAhIs
 Washington. March T.-(SpecialD That the support of Great Britain in the Mexican situation is contingent upon a reversal of itself by Congress on the question of tolls for our coast wise vessels. is the belief of many democrats as well as republican mem bers of Congress, and will have it's effect upon the action of Congress in settling this question.
 Of course, Great Britain has made no such open declaration, but in dip- lomatc way it is believed that she has hinted that this tolls question is the only obstacle between her friend ly influence" with other European pow CTS to keep hands off and let Uncle Sam deal with Mexico in his own way In other words, Great Britain will herself continue 10 respect the Mon roe doctrine and will let it be known to other powers that she will look with disfavor on any movement among them not to do so-as soon as this lit tie annoyance over canal tolls is re- moved
 The Presidents message has without doubt had it's effect and it is more than probable that Congress will yield to England's demands and repeal the tolls provision. There will be some op- position, but no spirited fight against it. MT. Underwood will content him. self with making a speech expressing his views and disapprova1 of repeating the tolls clause as relating to our own ships, but he will not lead a fight against the President, believing that the chief executive is actuated by a sense of patriotism and conviction that the exemption of our own yes sels from tolls would be repudatin our agreement with Great Britain and stain upon our national honor.
 In the meanwhile there is grow ing conviction among public men that intervention in Mexico must inevitably come.
 The situation Is regarded as being Sraver now, perhaps. than ever before and Carranza's attitude with reference to the body of Benton has increased the perplexities of the state depart ment and complicated a situation all ready difficult of solution.
 Good Will Must Be Retained
 There is a feeling in Congress that Great Britain's good will must be had and retained, for it is believed that the British government is now in accord Willi us on MEXICO, while on the other hand Japan is watching the situation snd keeping in close touch with devel- epments- in Mexico, and feels d sym pathy with that country engendered. perhaps, by her recent unpleasant re- 1ations with the United States
 It is pointed out that Great Britain has recognized Huerta, while this gov ernment has failed to do it and that there has been much talk of British oil concessions at stake in England's friendliness to Huerta. For the mo- ment it is plain to statesmen at the capitol that President Wilson's policy on canal tolls and this governments entente cordial with Great Britain on Mexican affairs are in entire harmony.
 There is no question that this psy- Biological conjunction is receiving due attention at the capitol and is not lost upon the most minimizing. Disturbed as some are over the Mexican situa- ton, they are gratified at this meet Ing of the lines. It may occur. and doubtless will. that some radical ad- vocate of retaining the canal tolls pro- vision will declare that we are yield ing to Great Britain and selling our rights to her for her uncertain sup port in Mexico, and that she has taken advantage of a tangled diplomatic sit nation to force us into a surrender of our rights.
 Question Entirely Debatable
 However, no one who supports the contention that the exemption from tolls of our coastwise vessels is not in violation of the -Pauncefote treaty will contend that the question Is not debatable. It is unfortunate that the matter cannot be referred to The Hague, as an international dis pute over the techinacl interpretation of 8 great treaty But no one can charge that the President Is surren- dering clear and legal right in order in order to obtain the friendship of Great Britain at a time when her sup port is welcome. It is regarded as un- fortunate that the British government places herself in the attitude of press ing a diplomatic difference at this par ticular juncture and thus clouding her title to our friendship and forever leaving her sincerity open to question, by furnishing some grounds for the charge that she has placed a price upon her support of our Mexican policy
 Believing as he does that the canal tolls provision is violation of our treaty-and he does believe it-the President is right in asking for its re- peal. If he didn't believe it was right he would ask no compromise with Great Britain in the matter Mexico or no Mexico. But it is believed by many in Congress that Great Britain has taken advantage of the Presidents COnNlcllonS anu mas handled the situation so as to get the full ben eft of his influence with Congress- in return for which she is supporting our policy in Mexico, just what she ought to do anyway
 At any rate the situation without doubt has made the Presidents task Of obtaining the repeal much easier and the developments in the past few days seems now to forecast the repeal of canal tolls exemption for coastwise ves- cells as certain.