Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-13
BRYAN ASSA|LS
FOES.OF REPEAL
Says Subsidy Plank of BaIti-
more NuIlifies Tolls Declara-
ton in Platform.

tary Bryan in statement made pup
lie yesterday 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 a construction of the
y-Pauncefote treaty" but is
simply a refusal on the part of the
United States to raise that question
in that way" i
Mr.. Bryan discusses various fea-
lures of the SUBJECTIVE limiting of
debate in the House of Representa-
tives, the Baltimore platform, and the
effect of repeal on the treaty.
Claiming that the opponents of the
repeal mad seized upon the charge
that the President was "surrendering
to England" Mr.. Bryan declared that
the opposition to the repeal had at
tempted 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 coun-
try? She has simply called attention
to their terms of the treaty, and
asked for arbitration of the question
of contraction, in case this govern
ment differs from the British govern
ment in the construction to be placed
upon the language. The very men
who are so insistent upon constituting
the treaty to permit free tolls delayed
for months the ratification of the
treaty with Great Britain because of
the opposition to any arbitration of
the subject? In other works they
construed the treaty TO permit dis
elimination, and then objected to al
lowing any international court to eX-
press an opinion on the subject.
a for af
grants the rights which Great Britain
claims, is ii a surrender to Great
Britain for our nation to repeal a
law that raised that question? The
repeal of the law cannot be construed
TO be a construction of the treaty. 1t
is simply a refusal on the part of
the United States to raise that ques-
ton in that way.
Discussing the Presidents right to
expect the support of Congress when
ne deals with international questions
Secretary Bryan adds:
The chief executive speaks for the
nation in International affairs and it
is only fair to assume that he speaks
advisedly when he declares that in
tercourse with other nations is seri-
ously embarrassed by the free-tolls
law which he seeks to repeal"
Mr.. Bryan was q member of the
resolution committee of the Baltimore
convention and his observations on
the platform constitute his first ut
terance on the subject. He refers to
the exemption plank as little
plank and to the procurement on
bounties and subsidies as the larger
plank" and says:
What op:ate does the little plank
contain that ii can make those who
accept 1T oblivious of the larger
plank? BY what rule of construction
can the small plank be made binding
and the large one ignored? The
secret of the strange power exerted
by the little plank is to be found in
the fact that it carefully conceals the
means by which 1t is to be carried
out. Had the word subsidy or
bounty been inserted in this plank,
1t could not have secured the indorse-
ment of the convention because the
contradiction between this plank and
: the larger plank would have been inn
mediately apparent. If the same care
had been used in the drawing of tn s
plank that was used in the drawing
of the p,ank on the merchant marine,
would have read as follows: We
favor the exemption from toll of
American ships engaged in coastwise
trade passing through the canal, but
without imposing additional burdens
upon the people and without bounties
or subsidies from the public treasury
In the case undere consideration
the President takes responsibility for
an official act which he regards as
necessary for his country's welfare,
and the people must decide whether
or not he is justified: and those who
refuse to act with him also assume
responsibility, and they, too, must
abide the judgment of the public.
Such change has taken place since
the Baltimore platform was adopted.
Had the Democrats in convention as
sembled been confronted by the con-
dition which now exists and had they
known what those now know who
voted for repeal, no such plank would
ever have been placed in the PLATFORM.
The conventions attention was not
even brought to the fact that a ma
(jority Of the Democrats in the House
had voted against the free tolls
measure and that it had, in fact been
passed by combination of
minority of the Democrats and a ma
jority of the Republicans.
IF a nation" continued the secre-
tary, desire to array itself against
the world, it should be sure that the
thing which it is to gain is worth
what ii costs. The President, know
ing that every commercial nation ex-
cept our own constructs the treaty as
q pledge of equal treatment, would
have been recreant to his trust had
people that our diplomatic relations
would be seriously disturbed by the
carrying out of the free tolls policy