Evening star., 1921-10-09

ing fact remains. that after discus
sion of more than sixty years, the
fundamental questions have not been
settled yet.
The supporters of the repeal meas
ure argued that the United States
must stand by its treaty Obligations.
The other side argued that the canal
was built with American money and
by American brains, and that tine
HaE-Pauncefote treaty never con-
templated the United States should
be deprived of the right of arrang-
ing. and regulating it's coast-wIse
commerce as it sees tit': and that the
treaty are intended to prevent the
United States from discriminating in
favor of one foreign country against
another foreign nation
For long time the meaning hid
den behind President Wilson's phra Sc,
I shall not know how to deal with
other matters of even greater deli
cacy and nearer consequence" was a
mystery. Some guessed it meant
Mexico, others that it referred to
American sympathy for Ireland. both
of which appeared to touch Amer
cia's relations with Great Britain.
Recent publication of former AM
bassador Pages correspondence with
Col. E. NJ. House and President Will
son throws some light on the mys-
terry. In these letters Amhassad dor
Page tells of 1.-The embarrassment he
free Panama tolls controversy" Page
wrote to House: This canaP tolls
matter stands in the way of every
thing They (the British) are
suspicious OF our government be-
cause. they contend. it has violated
speech in London in which he stirred
up the free tolls men in Congress
about as much as Ambassador Harvey
stirred up some of the former service
men and others by a subsequent ad-
dress in London. Pages removal was
demanded.
Unsettled Questions.
Here are the questions unsettled
still:
/. What is the true Interpretation
of the Clayton Bulwer treaty?
2. What is the correct interpreta-
ton of the Hay -Pauncefote conven-
ton?
3. Has the United States the right
to exempt American coast-wise ves-
sells from payment of tolls in the
Panama canal?
4. If SO. what will be the economic
effect?
The Senate has agreed to settle
some of these points Monday, October
10. unless the program is changed.
That it may be changed will be due
to the fear on the part Of the admin
istration that re-opening of the
case on the eve of -he limited arma-
ment conference will cause embar-
rassment to the United States. the
host OF delegates from Great Britain,
coming to discuss the pathway to in
ternational peace. 1t is feared by
some that vote to establish free
tolls" may offend Great Britain and
give rise to a repetition of President
Wilson's cryptic message: Il shall
not know how to deal with other
matters of even greater delicacy and
nearer consequence"
Clearly the administration is COM
mitted to the policy of free Panama
tolls for American coastwise vessels"
but il is only fair to observe that
even the most loyal American anight
conclude from inside Information that
moment. That is, viewing the situa-
tion automatically.
The financial and economic phase
Of the situation is another problem.
The canal is more than self-Sustain-
ing, or was in 1920 and 1921. What
amount Of revenue may be lost under
an American free tolr' program is
uncertain. Obviously it will be quite
an amount On the other hand, such
exemption will be material assist
ance to American shipping. 1t is ar
gued that free tolls for American
vessels in the coastwise trade will
not affect foreign vessels. since for
efgn vessels now are excluded from
American coastwise trade. However.
such program would tend to reduce
freight rates from coast to coast,
thus affecting transcontinental rail-
roads.
The promoters Of Stree tolls" say:
eff. the problem Is purely American
and wholly domestic. why this clamor
from abroad2'