Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-04-17
Rights Under Treaty Not Raised
By Repeal.

Secretary Bryan, IN statement made
public Monday last, lengthily reviews the
Panama tolls question and in the course
of the statement declares that the repeal
Of the tolls exemption in the Panama
Canal act cannot be construed to be
construction of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty."
but is simply refusal on the part of
the United States to raise that question in
that way"
Mr.. Bryan discusses various features of
the subject-the limiting Of debate in the
House Of Representatives. the Baltimore
platform and the effect of repeal on the
treaty
Claiming that the opponents Of the re-
peal had seized upon the charge that the
President was ''surrendering to England"
Mr. Bryan declared that the opposition to
the repeal had attempted to appeal ito
prejudice rather than to reason
What has Great Britain DONE" he
asked, ito justify the accusation that she
is trying to dictate to this countryH She
has simply called attention to the terms
OF the treaty and asked for arbitration of
the question Of construction in case this
Government differs from the British Gov
eminent in the construction to be placed
upon the language. The very men who
are so insstent upon constituting the treaty
to permit free tolls delayed for months the
ratification of the treaty with Great Brit
ian because of their opposition to any ar
biuation of the subject.
in other words, they construed the
treaty to permit discrimination and then
objected to allowing any international
court to express an opinion on the subject.
II. as a matter of fact. the treaty grants
the rights which Great Britain claims is
1t surrender to Great Britain for our
nation to repeal law that raised that
question:
1.-THE repeal of the law cannot be con-
strued to be construction of the treaty.
1t is simply a refusal on the part of the
United States to raise that question in
that way. In the controversy over the
Welland Canal Canada withdrew a dis
elimination which she had made in favor
OF Canadian ships in order that no cause
for friction with the United States authori-
ties in regard to the matter should exist
why cannot the United States with
draw discrimination for the same rea-
SOM When the treaty involved was before
the Senate for ratification an attempt was
made TO so amend it as to permit dis
elimination in favor Of coastwise vessels,
but it was voted down by decided ma
jority. With this record to support them,
Is it strange that foreign nations question
our right to make an exception in favor
of American vesselsf"
Discussing the Presidents right to ex-
pect the support Of Congress when he
deals with international questions, Score.
tary Bryan adds:
The Chief Executive speaks for the ma.
ton in international affairs, and it is onl,
fair to assume that he speaks advsedlS
when he declares that intercourse will
other nations is seriously embarrassed b,
the free tolls law which he seeks to repeal
I'VE occupy today a proud position
among the nations; we are the foremos
advocate Of peace and arbitration we ar,
becoming more and more a moral facto
throughout the world. Can we afford I,
surrender this POSITION Can we afford I,
belittle the great enterprise which ha
reached its consummation at the Isthmus
IF our nation desires to be measure,
by International and ethical standards
how unworthy to brae Of our strength an,
to threaten TO use that strength. We ar
ready to fight does not arouse the enthu
siasm now that il did few centuries agC
Brute force is not the level upon whic
this nation settles its controversies today
The question is not what we can do bu
what we ought to do.
THE path Of history is strewn with III
wreck Of nations that boosted that the
were all-powerfuL This question must
decided on moral principles and not b
the counting Of our regiments and battle
ships. What shall it profit a nation il
conquers the whole world and loses il
faith in the doctrine that righteousness
exalteth nationH"
Mr.. Bryan was a member Of the resolu
tons committee Of the Baltimore Conven
ton and his observations on the platform
constitute his first utterance on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Bryan argues that there are tw
planks in the Baltimore platform pertinent
TO the discussion. one Of which declares
the belief Of the Democratic party in tn
encouragement Of the merchant marine
I but states that 1t should be developed with
out imposing additional burdens upon III,
people and without bounty or subsidie
from the public treasures" and secont
plank declaring in favor Of the exemption
from tolls of American coastwise ships.
Mr.. Bryan declares that the opposition
Il IL a.