The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-11
NEW BRITISH FIGHT
BY COLOMBIA TREATY
Tolls Repeal Opponents Seize on
Plan Which Eycmpts Co.
lombian Ships.
INCONSISTENCY CHARGED
O'GOrman Sees Documents in
Effort TO strengthen "Free
Passage" Battle.
INCONSISTENCY CHARGED

wAsurNGroS. April Another threat
encd complicat ON has made its appear
ance in the Presidents fight for the re-
peal Of the canal tolls exemption provi-
sion. This new development came AZ the
result Of AN acknowledgment by Sec
retary Bryan that the new treaty with
Colombia provides for the free passage
through the Panama Canal of Colombian
Government vessels
There is also some provision in the new
treaty in reference to sh .pments OF car
goes OF salt. coal and oil by the CO.
lombian Government. hut the exact terms
Of this latter feature are not known.
As understood in Colombian sources
here IL provides that the shipment OF
such cargoes through the canal Is to be
free OF tolls. and In the event OF the
disabling OF the canal they are to be
transported free over the Panama Rail-
road.
The negotiations of this treaty permit
ting free passage to Colombian Govern
ment vessels through the Panama Canal
and probably also the free passage or
Colombian cargoes OF coal, oil and salt
have been brought about without the
specific consent OF Great Britain.
Britain's Previous Consent.
Great Britain is. however. on record
a. conserving to ar exactly Identical
proposal which was embodied In treaty
with Colombia drawn during Secretary
Roots service as Secretary of state. That
treaty was known as the Root-Cortez
treaty, but never was ratified.
The state Department. In negotiating
the new treaty with Colombia. mas taken
Il for granted that the consent which
Great Britain gave to Secretary Root
still stands notwithstanding the fact that
the Root Cortez treaty was negotiated long
before the agsravating question had arisen
between the United states and Great
Britain as 10 whether or not the United
States had the right to exempt hcr coast
wise vessels from tolls
The question being asked tonight IS
whether Great Britain in giving this
consent to a discrimination in favor Oh
Colombian Government vessels and pos
sibly Colombian cargoes has not coun-
tenanced a departure from the rule OF
equality to all nations in the use OF the
Panama Canal. on which rule Great Brit
ain is resting her contentious in refer
ence to the tolls issue with the United
States.
At any rate the Presidents opponents
in Congress are bound to pick UP TINS
new development and to magnify before
the country the fact that this government
is granting free passage To Colombian
Government ships. while questioning It's
right to exempt its own coastwise ships
from tolls.
The Greatest Concession.
The greatest concession made by Great
Rritain To tho United states thus far In
regard To- the right Of It's war vessels to
go through tho canal free Was tho state
n,ent that Great Britain did not deny the
right by this Government ~ exercise It's
belligerent rights In protecting the canal.
But II has been held that belligcrent
rights exist only in time of war and that
therefore strict adherence to the British
view would require the payment OF tolls
ny American warshirs using the canal.
Secretary Knox held that the British
Government certainly could not question
the right OF the United States TO send
it's own war vessels through tho canal
free of charge, but AZ the tine OF MS
argument the United states Government
was opposing the british contention on
"free tolls" No reply has Yet come from
Great Britain indicating an acceptance
OF this view.
The Pres dents supporters, as n result,
Of this new development. Will urge that
the right of Grea, Britain to be heard in
canal tolls was Acknowledged by this
Government at the time when Mr.. Root
negotiated his treaty with Colombia. II
Is doubted. however. whether this argu-
rnent will he AS effective as the one which
the Presidents opponents Will dwell upon.
Senator O'Ciorman called at the State
Department to-day and MAS permitted to
review all the correspondence and other
documents relating to- this consent given
NV Great Britain ~ was a-Sumed that
he was preparing to Use II against the adj
vocates of repeal aud particularly against
Senator Root, who has been foremost in
contend'nc against any discrimination in
the matter of canal tolls.