The Washington herald., 1921-09-29


- as efectng a change of votes, was that
IF Ehhu Root on Panama Canal tolls. The PROPOSE
=tion of free tolls has back again to vex this
administration it did that of President Wilson
Then it was declared to menace very delicate"
International stuation it threatens to interfere
with the negotiations of the Washington conference
1t seems have unhappy habit of butting in
Just when least wanted.
1t would appear that free tolls for coast
wise vessels was hardly of enough importance to
warrant its intrusion now, at any time. In 1912
Henry L. Stnson in his report Secretary OF
War; said that he had had expert investigation made
with the conclusion that remission OF canal tolls
was not necessary in order to enable American
vessels engaged in coastwise trade to success
fully such competition as they might be
subject to, either from the transcontinental rail-
roads OF foreign competitors"
= If that was the situation then, it certainly
has not changed in way make free tolls neces-
s.ry to that trade On the contrary, trans
continental railroad rates have increased more in
proportion than water rates. This is shown by
the enormous increase of traffic via the canal
This increase is both in bulk and variety, in COM
modify and in package freights The coastwise
vessels do need free tolls to meet any COM
petition and they have a monopoly OF all American
coast business
Beyond this, other nations have good reason
would be breach of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
This superseded the Cayton-Buwer treaty under
which any canal the Isthmus to be
neutral and the joint undertaking of Great Britain
and the United States. The British surrendered
this joint right of construction and control, but
under provisions Substantially embodied in the
convention between Great Britain and certain other
powers signed at Constantinople, October 20, 1885,
or the free navigation OF the Suez Maritime
These words
are of decided, if not controlling, importance in
the Interpretation of the treaty terms. Whatever
has been the British construction of its agreement
with these certain other p wers" to its
Suez Canal tolls, would seem to clearly be the
controlling meaning Of the Panama treaty.
The very first of the provisions following
this introduction is: "The canal shall be free and
open, in time of in time OF peace, to the
vessels Of commerce and of of all nations,
on terms of entire equality. that there shall be
no discrimination against any nation its scitizens
subjects in respect of the conditions charges
of traffic, or otherwise" 1t hardly be claimed
that merely because coastwise trade is an
American monopoly it is outside the provisions
OF this treaty. Canada has long coast line on
each side of this continent 1t is free to all vessels
In many ways free tolls, too. would act
protective tariff as to all competitive goods and
products exchanged between the East and West
States. s.
- The question, however, primarily is of
good faith not reduced to the equation of strict
construction of words. but of spirit and national
honor There is no letter of the law to enforce
what we ask as Yap, to Mesopotama, as
to the Far East, as to recognition of
treaty with Germany giving equal rights under
the treaty of Versailles of which are not
party. The United States is demanding for itself
the recognition of the spirit of fair play and the
square deal in the Interpretation of international
engagements. We cannot afford-merey afford
TO grant less than demand.
. 1t is true the Republican platform did recon-
mend" not pledge free tolls. but this not
alone for coastwise, but for "all vessels of the
American merchant marine" The President in
the light of events, now recommends that this
recommendation be takeH as it were, under ad-
visement. If half of it is to be morgued it is
no more breach of faith to morgue the rest
especially as probably not one voter in 100000
knew it was in the platform and it is safe to saw
it did not influence single vote at the election
Every party platform has surplusage and
this is it.
The Senate has one privilege II will neyer