The New York herald., 1921-05-31
SENATE FIGHT SOON
OVER PANAMA TOLLS
Rorah TO Revive Effort to Give
L. :. Vessels Free Passage
in Canal.
INVOLVE FOREIGN POLICY
Britain and Other Nations to
Object - Recalls Wilson's
'Inorudging Message.
INVOLVE FOREIGN POLICY
Special Despatch 70 TIE NEW 1oRK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau. [
Washington. ID. C.. May 30.

New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. G.. May 30.
As soon Us the naval appropriation
ill is out of the way legislation will
be begun in the Senate in advance of
any specific recommendation from
President H3rding. which may become
more vital in its relation TO the for
eign policy of the United states than
The question of disarmament involved
in the naval bill. 1t concerns the pro-
posal to reestaplish free passage for
American shipping through the Pan
anna Canal, a policy abandoned in 1914
as the result Of the first great victory
won in Congress by Woodrow Wilson.
With Great Britain i'm the lead, all
the maritime Powers are ready to pro-
test against this proposed policy on
the ground that it is unfair discrimi-
ration 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, it is realized
fully that the final answer probably
viii rest with President Harding and
Secretary Hughes, who will deal with
the international difficulties sure to
arise as a result of any effort to give
this preference to American ships
There does not seem to be any doubt
81 - e-nx o..
American ships will become involved
Before many days with some OF the
most vital problems of world adjust
ment in the Harding Administration.
British Protests In Allegiance.
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 docs
not seem to be the slightest chance OF
that At the psychological moment the
storm of British protest is expected to
break
Senator Borah. chairman OF the Com
mittee on Tnteroceanc Canals. an
nounced to-day that he intended to bring
the free canal question before the SEN
ate as soon as the disarmament question
and the naval appropriation bill can be
disposed of. Neither he nor any leader
in the Senate of either party knows
the temper of the Senate on the sub
ject and this is giving both sides con-
siderable unea siness.
Repeal of free passage marked the
real beginning of Woodrow Wilson's
domination over the legislative branch
of the Government. In face of plat
form declaration of his party for free
passage. Mr.. Wilson asked for and OBJ
tanned the repeal of the measure. His
reason, it will be recalled was shrouded
in mystery.
81 ask this OF YOU" he said in his
message, "in spite of the foreign policy
or the Administration. / shall not know
how to deal with matters OF even greater
delfcacy and nearer consequence If YOU
do not grant it to me In ungrudging
measure"
On the basis of this cryptic utter
ance which. so far as any one can learn.
never has been explained, free passage
was abolished, the vote in the Senate
being so to 35, with ten Senators not
voting. Party lines were abandoned,
thirteen Republicans and thrty-seven
twenty-one Republicans and fourteen
Democrats voted against him
HnrdfnG's Letter Is Quoted.
Senator Borah. vino is sponsoring leg
lslation for free canal. and his col
leagues are counting on the support Of
President Harding. The 1920 Republi-
can platform contained plank favorirs
free passage and II was commended BY
Mr.. Harding in his letter accepting the
nomination. He said:
Il like that recommittal to thoughts