The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-03-18
BITTER ATTACK MADE
ON ADMINISTRATION
Representative Kahn Of Cali.
fornia Discusses Tolls Ex-
emption Bill.

WASHINGTON March 17.-In q bitter
attack upon the administrations foreign
policy, the fruit of which he said had
been misunderstanding. distrust: vacilla-
tion and humiliation. Representative
Kahn OF California today warned the
house against the pending Sims bill to
repeal the tolls exemption provision of
the Panama canal act. He cited several
instances which he declared conclusivelY
proved that England would not yield If
she were in position similar TO that OF
the United States and said "her his
she has firmly and vigorously refused
to yield her inallenable rights" He
added:
This greatest Of all the worlds re-
publics has grown to be in one brief
year OF Democratic administration
the pariah Of the nations. Under the
blight of It's foreign policy we stand
today isolated, deserted. alone. 1t Is
a humliating confession, but its truth
cannot be gainsald
We are calmly told not TO consider
whether we be right or wrong in
our Interpretation OF the Hay-Paun
ccfote treaty AS a matter OF expe-
dlency and in order to save the face
of the administration, we ought 10
forego our rights-so says the presi-
dent-no matter what great economic
or governmental principles may be
involved-prIncIples that may vitality
affect the prosperity and the welfare
OF the American people.
The speaker expressed his belief that
mo people on earth who have due
regard for the opinions of mars!nd would
be willing to sell their birthright for such
an unpalatable mess OF pottage-" He
continued:
The fact is, Sir Edward Grey has
forgotten, or did not fully investicSt to,
the circumstances that compelled his
government to abandon the system of
rebates that had been granted Canad-
ian shippers and shipowners in, viola
tion OF the treaty Of Washington.
He Is entirely mistaken when he as,
serts that the system was abandoned
in the face OF our protests.
II was retaliatory legislation on the
part OF the United States. Mr.. Kahn de-
clared. that compelled Great Britain TO
aba ndon her position in that instance.
Mr.. Kahn insisted that If the tolls eN-
emption provision was repealed, IT would
result In additional demands upon the
United States by foreign nations. He
concluded as follows:
That there shall be no fortficatlou
Of the canal will undoubtedly he the
next demand. And ii will be con,
tended that the senate having voted
down an amendment TO the Hay
Pauncefote treaty providing for for
tiHca tons, the action Of our govern
ment In constructing foriigcatlons at
either end Of the canal is I'm violation
OF the principles OF naturalization as
contemplated by the treaty, and must
be discontinued
Representative Moore OF Pennsylvania
also spoke.
In his speech. Representative Moore
took the position that the government, in
It's treaties with Great Britain govern
ing the building of the canal. did not give
UP the exclusive right 10 regulate Its
own commerce, and declared that the
presidents position called upon congress
TO vote the American people out of their
right to regulate and manage their in
ternal affairs through and upon the
canal"
Discussion of the tolls controversy is
to be precipitated In the senate In ad-
vance OF formal consideration of a repeal
measure. Senator Jones OF Washington
today announced his Intention TO call UP
tomorrow his resolution asking President
Wilson for information as TO the ntu-
| tude OF foreign governments toward toll
exemption. He will urge that the senate.
before undertaking TO pass upon the pres
idont's plea for repeal OF the exemption
clause, should have nll Information avail
able as TO the interests or foreign nations
In the subject. The resolution would re-
quEe rhe president, III not incompatible
with the public interests to advise the
against the passage OF the ccastwise YES
sells through tho Panama canal free OF
| tolls. what representations have been
made regarding the same, and copies OF
all communications received from foreign
countries rela ting thereto, together with
copies OF answers submitted by the Unit
cd States