Evening journal., 1921-05-05
PANAMA TOLLS QUESTION REOPENED.

6LXVTE recommend that all ships engaged IN coastWlse
w trade" says the Republican platform. land all
vessels OF the American merchant marine shall pass
through The Panama Canal without payment OF tolls
ON numerous occasions President Harding has indicated
his complete agreement with that recommendation and
Republicans Congress have already taken the initial
steps toward making il a reality.
Senator William f. Borah OF Idaho, is the author OF a
bin that extends free tolls to American coaswise ships
Senator's Wesley L. Jones and Miles Pondexer, both OF
Washington introduced bills that propose to give
the free-ios privilege to all American vessels whether
in the coastNise or foreign trade.
It is understood that Mr. Borah is not averse to an
amendment to his that would include all Ameri-
can ships.
The referred to the COMMITTEES
nteroceanc Canals, OF which Senator Borah is the
chairman and it is understood he will call meeting in
the near future for their consideration.
The passage Of free-tols bill will be long step in
the program OF Americanism that President Harding is
ollowng closely.
The repeal Of the original freeolls provision in the
Panama Canal Act OF those instances with which
~ record OF the former administration is studded OF
neekly submitting American interests to the dctaon
or control Of other nations. Mr. Hardngs predecessor
frankly afraid to assert American rights Amer
can canal.
~ shall not know" he pleaded "how TO deal with other
matters OF greater decacy and consequence
you do not grant It Support OF his foreign policy by
uge"
Both Senate and House were controlled by Democrat
maiorites to whom the Presidents wish law and the
repeal bill enacted.
Some commentators the debate that preceded the re-
peal, describe it highly involved" and in regard to
which only specialists in diplomatic history speak
with authority.
The arguments Of those who sought surrender OF
American rights were indeed Involved but 10 those who
believed canal designed by American brains, financed
by American dollars and constructed on American soil
should be used by American ships in any way that
America saw Mt the problee simple
The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty says that THE canal shall
be free and open to the vessels OF and Of
OF all nations observing these rules terms OF entire
equality, that there shall be discrimination against
any such nation its citizens subjects in respect OF
the conditions or charges of traffic, or otherwise"
Great Britain informed this government that her inter-
probation OF the term all nations" included The United
States
With little attempt to assert an American Interpretation
of the treaty practically the whole argument Of the re-
peasts Of Congress based The proposition that
inasmuch party to the treaty had construed it 10
mean one thing it was impoc for the United States TO
take differing attitude.
And so the British merchant marine was placed on an
exact equality with American vessels precisely as II
America and Great Britain had shared equally the cost OF
the canal.
But times have changed We have a President who !.
not afraid to assert what he believes TO be tho rights Of
America The future success OF his foreign policy hC
does not conceive dependent upon an abec surrender
as to any part OF Il In that respect even IL in n,
other, he differs radically his predecessor in hi
White House
There is Republican Congress- also, animated with
determination to stand firmly American rights deaf
intmatons from abroad that part OF them should
be sacrificed
So we may look confidently ahead to the time wher
American ships shall have privileges the Panama Cana
to which American ownership OF hat waterway entities
them.