The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-09-08
CANAL POLICY OF
WILSON SUSTAINED
Presidents Action Insisting That
Treaties With England Be OBJ
served, Already Bearing Fruit.
COULD CAUSE MUCH TROUBLE
Action of Congress in Holding Back
Salaries of Absent Members Not to
Embarrass Republicans.
(By Congressman c.. H. Tavenner)

(By Congressman G. H. Tavenner)
Washington, September S.-Pres-
ident Wilson's high minded course in
insisting that the spirit of our treat
les with Great Britain respecting the
Panama Canal be carried into the
written law, although lawyers could
bubble about the literal wording of
these treaties, is now bearing fruit
of inestimable value to the people of
the United States.
The president did not insist upon
free tolls because he expected any
reward for right doing. He did it
because this nation had for several
decades solemnly agreed to give our
ships no advantage in tolls over the
ships of Great Britain or any other
nation. But the reward came speed
lily. The friendly attitude of Great
Brition now greatly simplifies our at
tempt to create merchant marine.
Could Give Trouble.
Great Britain is in position to
give us a great deal Of trouble if we
attempt to carry out the vessel reg
istry law, which admits to American
registration foreign vessels bought by
Americans Standing on the letter
of the London convention Great
Britain might easily refuse to re-
cognize as neutral any German vessel,
for instance, bought by Americans
and flying the American fag:
The London declaration provides
that the transfer of vessels after
declaration of war is void unless the
transfer is not made to escape the
consequences to which an enemy's
vessel is exposed. Many German
ships are now thrown out of service
by England's control of the sea-.
These vessels, it is proposed, will be
sold to American interests. Under
the London treaty of Great Britain
might refuse to recognize the validity
of any such transfer. s@1z"..~sTa>7-z
Possibly War.
Her refusal to recognize the neut-
rality of such vessels would mean in
slant trouble for this country. About
the first thing to happen would be: the
seizure of a former German vessel
admitted to American registry. Such
a seizure would have to be protested,
if not resented by this nation. Then
there would be excitement, and pos
sibly war in these unsettled times.
Because of the difficulty in the situa-
ton the president is delaying any
proclamation Of the terms under
which vessels may be transferred.
But because the United States did
not stand upon lawyers interpre-
tation of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
in the matter of the Panama tolls,
Great Britain is now not disposed to
take the London treaty literally. She
is willing. to assist the United States
to build up a merchant marine, while
she might. easily make it difficult.
The affair" is still being negotiated,
but it will probably end by Great
Britain agreeing to recognize the
neutrality of our vessels providing
we guarantee that vessels bought
from Germany will not revert to Ger
man ownership and registry after the
close of hostilities.
Hard Put for Argument.
The cry of. Republicans that the
Democratic majority of the house
passed the resolution ordering the
sergeant-at-arms to Withhold salaries
of absent members in order to en-
barass the Republicans in the pres
ent congressional campaign is ridic-
ulous. Democrats are hurt by the
resolution more than Republicans,
The house is now overwhelmingly
Democratic. Many. of the Democratic
members come from districts which
have heretofore sent Republicans.
These Democratic members are near
1y all candidates for reelection. They
are held in Washington while their
Republican opponents are working
with the voters.
If the house membership is held in
Washington, all fall the party hurt
worse will be the party having the
most members in the house. That
is so obvious that only Republicans
hard pressed for matters on which to
criticize the Democratic majority,
could have failed to see it.
Northern Attorneys Here.
Attorney George e. Erickson, editor
of the Northern News, and who was
largely responsible for the success Of
the recent editorial outing, and At