Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-16
Forces Lining Up for
Contest Coming in
Earnest During
This Week
Administration Senators Spurred
By Wilson Against Delay

Washington, March 15.-Open de-
bate on repeal of the toll exemption
clause of the Panama canal act will
begin in the House late this week, and
vote in that body on the Sims bill
to carry out the recommendations Of
President Wilson is expected by Sat
urday night. In the Senate. an earn
est effort will be made by administra-
ton leaders to pave the way for
early action on the issue.
Forces Arrayed.
Opposing forces in both houses are
arrayed for the fight. In the Senate the
return of Senator O'Gorman of New
York, chairman of the committee on
inter-oceanic canals, is awaited with
interest in view of the fact that Sen
ator owen, a majority member of the
committee has introduced a bill SIM
liar to the Sims bill for the purpose of
expediting settlement of the contro-
versy as soon as possible. Senator
Owen seeks to have the committee
take the repeal bill up at once and
pass upon it. Senator O'Gorman, who
will. lead the opposition, took the po-
sition before leaving Washington last
week that his committee should do
nothing with the repeal until the
House had acted. Administration SEN
ators, after comforting with the Pres
ident determined that the issue is so
clearly drawn that there is no reason
for delay. Various polls of the Senate
on the repeal question have indicat-
ed that the President will be sustain
ed by majority of from 10 to 20
votes.
Micaraeuan Treaty.
Another matter for consideration this
week IS the pending treaty with Mic
aragua, negotiated in the Taft admin
istraticn, which the present admins
tration wishes to have amended and
ratified as soon as possible. The for
eign relations committee of the Sen
ate expects Secretary of State Bryan
to appear Wednesday in explanation
of the administrations desires relat-
ing to the treaty, which is designed
primarily for requirement by the
United States of the Nicaraguan canal
rights and rigrts to naval station
in the bay of Fonseca in exchange for
a payment of 100000.
BY the terms of the treaty as origin
in perpetuity to the United States the
exclusive rights for an inter-oceanic
canal through the San Juan river and
the great lake of Nicaragua, or by
way of any other route over Nlcara-
guam territory. Article two OF the
treaty proposes that in order to Ia
cilitate the protection of the Panama
canal" and the rights contemplated IN
Nicaragua, Nicaragua shall lease TO
the United States for SO years the
Great Corn and Little Corn islands in
the Caribbean sea and rights to
naval base ON the Gulf of Fonseca.
Under the proposed plan of amend
ing the treaty, Nicaragua, besides
granting the canal and naval station
rights, would agree:
That war should not be declared
without consent Of the United States.
That no treaties be made with for
eign governments that would tend TO
destroy her independence or give for
eign governments a foothold in the
republic.
That no public debt would be con-
tracted beyond the ordinary resources
of government.
That the United States should have
the right to intervene at any time TO
preserve Nicaraguan independence or
to protect life or property.
In the Senate during the week the
lobby investigating committee plan to
resume it's examination of Clarence DE
Knight with regard to charges of lob
bying in the interest of increased pay
bills for army and navy officers and
other matters.