Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-01-28
TREATY OBLIGATION
IS VIOLATED BY
CANAL ACT
President Wilson Insists That
No Discrimination Should
Be Permitted in Favor Of
American Ships,

q, nosaieo loORsAl srseiAl LEASED @Rrl
Washington. jam 2f How TO dis
pose of the Panama canal tolls ques-
ton was the subject uppermost tn disc
cussion about tho rapitoi today when
thc attitude of President Wilson, uul-
lined 20 the senate foreign relations
committee last night became public.
The president position was ass
serted TO be Thar The provision Of the
Panama canal act granting toll exc
cmption O. American coastwise yes-
fols, is in violation Of the Hay
pauneefote treaty which proclaims
lhlt the canal shall be free and open
10 the vessels of commerce and war
of am nations con terms Of entire
equality aud tbat charges Of trai-
fic shout be lust and equitable
BEFORE definite action is taken I'm
congress. Il was said tonight by adj
mlnisIauon leaders public statc-
mont from the president on the Ques-
ton WIN be awaited President VIII
son himself after the night confer
ence With she senator's, said he would
proclaim his views Eat future
time
Three courses are open 20 the SEM
ate I'm the matter:
Great Britain which has persistently
opposed The ton exemption for Amer
lean ships, has offered to arbitrate
the question as to les being viola
zion Of Inc -pauncefotc treaty.
The majority n congress is believed
Ia be opposed . mis- maintaining that
thc United States should settle the is-
sue for itself Another course ia 20
curry into effect the resolution SUBJ
omitted hy Representative Alams0ns
chairman of The interstate and forcign
commerce committee. which would
suspend for two years the operation
of the provision cNempting American
ships from the payment of tolls.
Should This be adopted diplomatic nee
( gctauons could De continued in the
meantime. The third proposal is that
congress repcal the frce ton provision,
recognizing that 70 is in violation II
! the -paunccfote treaty som,
democratic senator's who voted for
+ free tolls. now are ready To vote for
1.-The repeal.
Renresentatkc Adamson said today
ithaf his committee undoubtedly would
report rho free TOLLS suspension biz
/ 10 the house fayorahly but that TINS
faction would De held up pending word
from President wilson Mr Adamsos
oppressed confidence that the houss
would pass the resolution.
Democrats of the interoceanic cana
committee who favored and voted 10.
free tolls 90 American eoaslwise ship.
talkel briefly on The new situation
Senator Chiffon 90 West Virginia
who champlonod the exemption pro
vision. said he had come 10 the CON
Icluslon that The canal act aid not yie-
late the treaty. - have great re-
spect for nc opinion of the prcsi
dent" Senator Chiffon said "but
think would have 90 hear stronger
arguments than have vet been ad
iNancod before ] could change M
mind on The question"
senator Walsh Of Montana, als'
member &C The canal committee
Isall d, bad favored free tolls. hu
that hc would bee willing to listen t'
further arguments Senator Page 81
Vermont % republican member of thi
committee, said be had always beer
Opposed to The exemption Of American
ships from the canal tolls bat ex
pressed the belief that the maloriN
Ior the canals commission would tak'
a firm stand 60 uphold tho law as i
stands
Diplomatic correspondence over th'
tolls question. which has been il
progress since Great Britain lodge
formal protest boz july lel2, vlrW
Ially was suspended after Amhasada
Bryce delivered "a note last February
Just before Che expiration of the Tai
+ administration. reassertlug The British
position Then came the change o
3 administration and before resgnH
his pest as British ambassador f.
Washington air. Bryce had a partIu
interview with President Wilson >
3 which The subject OF canal tolls WI
= discussed lt was currently reportoi
then thar the Ambassador had pro
curcd from prcsieent Wilson som
assurances that he would use his hes
efforts go secure removal Of tn
discrimination M favor 81 America
vessels