The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-06-01
SENATE WILL SCRAP
OVER PANAMA TOLLS
Borah Plans to Revive Effort to Give
U. s. Vessels Free Passage
Through Canal

borah Fans 10 Revive Etfort 10 give
U. s. Vessels Free Passage
Through Canal
Wash ngton, d. G, June 1.--As soon
as the naval appropriation bin is out
of the way legislation viii be begun in
the senate, in advance OF any specific
recommendation from President Hard
ing, which may become more vital in
its relation TO the foreign policy of the
United States than the question OF d s.
armament involved in the naval bill.
1t concerns the proposal to reestablish.
free passage for American shipping
through the Panama canal, policy
bandoned in 1914 as the result of the
first great victory by Woodrow Will
son
With Great Brita in the lead, all
the maritime powers are ready to pro-
test against this proposed policy on
the ground that il is unfair discrimi-
nat on in favor of American shipping
and contrary to the world understand
ing when the United States built the
canal.
While the battle will be fought in
the open in Congress, IL is realized
fully that the final answer probably
will rest with President Hard ng and
Secretary Hughes, who will deal with
the International difficulties sure TO
arise as result Of any effort to give
this preference TO American ships
There does not seem to be any
doubt that the question OF free pas
sage for American ships VIII become
Involved before many days with some
OF the most vital problems of world
adjustment in the Harding administra
tion.
British Protests in Abeyance
British statesmen are keeping silent
on the subject in the hope that the
movement in this country for free pas
sage will be abandoned but there does
not seem to be the slightest chance of
that. At the psychological moment
the storm of British protest is expect
ed to break.
Senator Borah, chairman Of the
committee on interoceanic canals. an
lnounced yesterday that he intended to
bring the free canal quest on before
the senate as soon as the disarma.
ment question and the naval appro'
lpriation bill can be disposed OF;
Neither he nor any leader in the sen
ate of either party knows the temper
OF the senate on the subject and this
lis giving both sides considerable un'
easiness.
Repeal of free passage marked the
real beginning of Woodrow Wilson
domination over the legislative branch
of the government, In face OF a plat
form declaration of his party for free
passage, Mr. Wilson asked for and oh
tanned the repeal of the measure. His
reason, it will be recalled, was shroud
ed In mystery.
~ ask this of you" he said in his
message, sin spite of the foreign poll
ev OF the administration | shall not
know how to deal with matters oI
even greater delicacy and nearer con
sequence if you do not grant it to me
| in mgrudging measure"
On the basis of this cryptic utter
/ aUCe MHlNu, 81 lui 40 any DhS N'A'
learn, never has been expla free
passage was abolished, the vote IN the
senate being so to 80. with ten sen
ators not voting. Party lines were
abandoned, thirteen Republicans anC
thlrty-seven Democrats voting with
Mr.. Wilson, while twenty-one Repub
licans and fourteen <2mocrats voted
against him,
Hardna's Letter Is Quoted
Senator Borah who is sponsor ne
leg station for free canal and his
colleagues are counting on the sup
port of President Harding The 1926
IRepublican platform contained q PLANK
fayoring free passage and 1t was con
mended by Mr. Harding in his lettel
accepting the nomination. He said
II like that recomm ttal to thoughts
of America first which pledges The
Panama canal, an American Great on
to the free use of American shipping
1t will add TO the American reawaken
inc
| At that time, however, Mr.. HARDING
had not acquired the intimate know
ledge of diplomatic secrets to which
his Inauguration as president has g.v
en- him access What those who advo
cate free canal fear Is that there
are In the archives of the state depar
ment the same reasons against fret
passage for American shipping tina
aotuated President Wilson in hi
change of front.
It is probable that the president
views on the subject " II be sought be
fore the final vote is taken. Shonlt
he give his official approval natural,
1t Is thought there will be little dit
nculty in obtaining approval Of tn,
bill.