The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-03-05
AMERICA MUST
keep ITS WORD
There Is No Reason Why
Great Britain Should Bring
Pressure to Bear.
WILSON IN PLEA
FOR LEGISLATION
Relieves That Theory Is Also Mis-
taken Economically Shortest
That Presented TWia,-Only 80
Words In IL.

Tl,at Presented To,ia,-ODly $40
Words In II.
Washington. March 5.--Prcsilent
Wilson personally appealed TO con-
to sustain the national honor of the
United States, in upholding treaty oh
legations by repeating tho Panama
tolls exemption against which Great
Britain protests. He asked congress
TO do that ''in support of foreign pol
icy of the United States" and added
that an exemption for American ships
not only was mistaken economic
policy but was in contravention of
the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
~ shall not know how to deal with
other matters of even greater dellcacy
and nearer consequence, if you do not
grant it TO me in ungrudging meas
ure.' the president said.
The large thing to do is the only
thing we can afford to do: Il voluntary
withdrawal from position every
where questioned and misunderstood.
We ought to reverse our action with
were right or wrong, and SO once more
deserve our reputation for generosity
and the redemption of every obliga-
ton without bubble or hesitation"
President Wilson's address. the
shortest he has vet delivered to con-
gress-eXactly 42O words-was as fol-
lows:
Question is Grave.
Gentlemen of the Congress:
Il have come to you upon an errand
which can he very briefly performed.
butt beg that YOU will not measure
its importance by the number Of seu-
tences in which state it. 80 COM
lhlunication | have addressed to- the
congress carried with it gravcr or
more far reaching implications to the
interest of the country, and I come
now to speak upon a matter with re-
gard to which | am charged in a pc
culiar degree, by the constitution it,
self, with personal responsibility.
H. have come to ask for the repeal
of the provision of the Panama canal
act of August a. 1912, which eXempts
vessels engaged in the coastwise trade
OF the United States from payment of
tolls, and to urge upon you the JUS
tice. the wisdom and the large policy
of such a repeal with the utmost ear
nestness of which / am capable.
Mistaken Economic Principle.
I'm my own judgment, very fully
considered and maturely formed, that
exemption constitutes a mistaken eco
nomic policy from every point OF view,
and is moreover. in plain contraven-
ton of the treaty with Great Britain
concerning the canal concluded on
November is. 1901.
But have not come to you to urge
my personal views. j have come to
state to you fact and a situation.
Whatever may be our own differences
of opinion concerning this much de-
bated measure. it's meaning is not de-
bated outside the United States. F;v-
erywhcre else the language OF the
treaty is given but one interpretation,
and that Interpretation precludes the
exemption ] am asking you to repeal.
We consented 10 the treaty; it's
language we accepted, if We did not
originate it; we are too big. too pow
erful. too self-respecting a nation to
interpret with too trained or refined
a reading the words of our own prom
lses Just because we have power
enough to give us leave to read them
is the only thing we can afford to do
voluntary withdrawal from a posi-
ton everywhere questioned and mis-
understood.
Reverse Without Quibbling.
We ought to reverse our action
without raising the question whether
We were right or wrong, and SO once
more deserve our reputation for gen.
erosity and the redemption of every
obligation without quibble or hesita-
ton.
Il ask this Of you in support of the
foreign policy of the administration.
,ru IN 1,,;xt.
other matters of even greater delicacy
and nearer consequence il you do not
grant it to me in ungrudging meas
ure.
Disputed Two Years.
The Panama tolls question has been
subject of dispute for nearly two
Years. Diplomatic correspondence
between Great Britain and the United
States found the question unsettled
when President Tat: left Office. But,
except for an assurance TO James
Rryce: then British ambassador, when
he left the United States a year ago,
that the question would he taken up
in the regular session Of congress,
President Wilson never has directed
any official communication to Ems.
land OH the tolls question.
Should Realize Itself.
The president recently told callers
he had never discussed the matter for
mally or informally with the Brit
sh ambassador. Sir Cecil Spring Rice,
because he believed the obligation on
the part Of the United States to repeal
the exemption clause was one winch
this government itself should realize
withouE outside influence or pressure.
Administration leaders in both
house and senate have assured the
president that with the delivery of a
message by him, showing that i.s.r-
national circumstances had arisen
since the measure was last debated,
the presidents suggestion for repeal
would bring prompt action.
AdaDson Approves.
Speaker Clark ordered the address
referred to the interstate commerce
committee. Chairman Adamson. who