Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-28

of the United States. We built the canal
primarily as an addition to our wal
power, as it permits the quicker transfer
of our naval forces from one ocean to
another Its inland lake provides a har-
Dor Of refuge in which our navies can
rendezvous, and, as occasion offers, strike
either ocean.
THE advocates of Great Britain take
the position that We are forbidden to dis.
criminate in favor of our own vessels OF
commerce. and, as vessels of commerce
and war are named together, how long
will it be before the same advocates OF
the British contention will advise us that
We cannot discriminate in favor of our
own war vessels?
The contention Of those advocating
the British claims seems almost ABSURD
when we recognize that II We admit them
for vessels of commerce the same reason
ing will require US to admit them for
vessels of war. To do SO would con-
vert the canal in time of war into a
liability instead of an asset. Or course,
we made no such contract We give 10
all nations observing certain rules
adopted by us certain privileges IN Tue
canal. That did not mean that we pro
posed to build a canal at our own eH-
pense and then surrender It's sovereignty
to all other nations.
There is no word in the treaties that
even by implication denies our right TO
give free tolls to our vessels IN any traue;
and the day will vet come when we VIII
free our vessels from tolls in the foreigrl
trade But we have yet to consider the
most serious surrender that the advocates
of the British contentious desire to make
that Is, to make the admission mat we
are not sovereign in the Canal zone.
by your vote you are asked to ratify
for all time to come the BRUSH oesire
that we surrender sovereignty OF the
Canal Zone and admit that 1t is an inter-
national waterway In which we have no
rights that are not possessed by all other
nations.
Acquired Title of Panama.
"Our governmental status on the Canal
Zone was established and fixed by treaty
made with the Republic of Panama sub
sequent to the making of the HAY
Pauncefote treaty. Great Britain re-
manned silent after the publication of
this treaty and allowed us to build the
canal under it, and she is estopped now
to deny the right we acquired under this
treaty with Panama.
The Republic of Panama acquired the
sovereignty over the land through which
the canal was built in the same manner
the original thirteen states of this Union
acquired their sovereignty. by successful
revolution. Panama has surrendered her
sovereignty over the Canal Zone to our
government by language that is SO clear
it cannot be misunderstood
Are we now to yield the sovereign
rights of a nation. and for what? Can
any one tell US plainly why we surrender
and what is to be accomplished by it?
Are we to yield merely because the
sentiment of Europe Is against US? When
has the sentiment Of Europe ever been
with US about matters of moment?
WAS Europe with US when we protest
ed against the British government taxing
us without granting representation in the
parliament? Did Europe sympathize with
US when we protested against the I'M
lawful seizures and search of vessels in
the second decade of the last century?
when will the time ever come. when
we can expect to maintain and preserve
our rights, political and commercial, with
the acauiescent sympathy of European
governments"