The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-05
MAKES. HIS PLEA.

mHNIO uIO T@s
CONTINUED from Page One)
such a repeal. with the utmost earn
estness Of which am capable.
considered and matureiy formed. that
exemption constitutes mistaken
economic policy from every point Of
view and IL. moreover, in plain contra
vention OF the treaty with Great Brit
ain concerning the canal concluded on
November IS. 1901.
But One Interpretation.
But have not come to urge my
personal views. 1 have come to state
to you a fact and situation. what
ever may be our own differences Of
opinion concerning this much debated
measure. it's meaning Ia not debated
outside the United States. Every
where else. the language of the treaty
Is given but one Interpretation and
that Interpretation precludes the ex-
emption am asking you to repeal.
I'VE consented to the treaty: its
language We accepted II we did not
originate it. and We are too big. too
to interpret, with too strained or re-
Tined a reading, the words of our own
promises. just because we have power
enough to give US leave to read them
as we please.
The large thing to do il the only
thing we can afford to do. q voluntary
withdrawal from position every
where questioned and misunderstood.
We ought to reverse our action with
out raising the question whether we
were right or wrong and SO once more
deserve our reputation for generosity
and the redemption Of every obliga-
ton without bubble or hesitation.
Il ask this of you in support Of the
foreign policy of the administration. I
shall not know how to deal with other
matters Of even greater delicacy and
nearer consequence If you do not grant
it to me in ungrudging measure"
In Dispute Two Years.
The Panama tolls question has been
subject Of dispute for nearly two
tween Great Britain and the United
States found the question unsettled
when President Taft left office.
Except for an assurance to James
he left the United States year ago,
that the question would be taken up
in the regular session of congress
President Wilson has mover directed
any official communication to England
on the tolls questions The president
recently told callers he had never dis
cussed the matter formally or infor-
mally with the British Ambassador
here. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, because
he believed the Obligation on the part
Of the United States to repeal the .ex-
emptfon clause was one which this
government itself, should realize with
outside influence or pressure.
Administration leaders OF both
house and senate have assured the
president that with the delivery OF q
message showing that international
circumstances had arisen since the
measure was last debated. the presi-
dents suggestion for repeal would
bring prompt action.
Gets Prompt Action.
The house chamber and galleries
were packed, as usual, to hear the
president read his address. The
French and German Ambassadors and
other members Of the diplomatic
corps were in spaces reserved for
them. No official Of the British en-
bassy was present. The Misses Will
son had places In the executive gal
lery and Mrs. Wilson for the first
time was absent. She has not yet re-
covered from the shock OF q fall In
the White House q day or two ago.
President Wilson reached the capt.
toll ten minutes before the time for
the reading, and waited m Speaker
Ciark's room until 1880. when he
was escorted into the chamber and
promptly began reading his brief ad-
had died away.
Mr.. Wilson's message was SO brief
that he had finished reading almost
before the surprised galleries realized
he had begun. 1t took less than five
| minutes, and as another burst of ap-
plause greeted its close, Mr.. Wilson
hurried out of the chamber and drove
back to the White House. The joint
session dissolved at once and the two
houses resumed their work.
Not a sound had interrupted the
president as he read n message, and
as he finished the assemblage was all
smiles, the demonstration being re-
, garded as a tribute to his first year in
Office and the first year of Democratic
supremacy in the government.
Within ten minutes after the presi-
dent had addressed congress Senator
| Hilton, Democrat, Of t. canals COM
mittee introduced a bill authorizing
| the president to 81 slend tolls
/ Speaker Clark ordered the address
referred to the interstate commerce
commission. Chairman Adamson, who
win have charge Of the repeal. declared
the address fitted his ideas exactly.
| THE presidents address pleases me-
I he said because 1t means honesty at
home and justice abroad. 1t is not true
that We are surrendering to Great Brit
ain if we repeal the free tolls clause.
Myself and other Democrats took po-
( sition against this piece of rascality be-
fore England ever heard Of it."
Democratic Leader Underwood de-
: clined to discuss the address.