Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1912 — WORDY WAR STRRTS OVER "BIG DITCH" [ARTICLE]

WORDY WAR STRRTS OVER "BIG DITCH"

Britain Protests Against Free Use of Canal. HINT TREATY IS VIOLATED Authority of United States to Allow American Ships to Pass Without Tolls Is Questioned by England. Washington, July 12. —The lines are drawn for a great diplomatic struggle between the United States and Great Britain over the question of whether this country may discriminate in favor of American vessels in the administration of the Panama canal. A series of diplomatic and legislative conferences has developed the fact that the forces in the American government which . favor allowing American ships free passage through the canal are in control. These foaces take the position that there is nothing In the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, under which the canal was built, to prevent this concession. The diplomatic struggle, precipitated by the note received from Mitchell Innes, charge of the British embassy, it is expected, will be fought along the following lines; Stands on Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. Great Britain will take the position that the Hay-Bauncefote treaty provision which forbids discrimination in favor of the interests of any nation In the conduct of the canal would operate against the provisions of the Panama bill now under consideration in the senate. This position will be supported by a lengthy argument now on * its way from London by mail, which will be presented to the state department. The United States will' hold that so long as the ships of all foreign nations are accorded the same treatment in the use of the canal the United States may pass American ships free or rebate the tolls charged them. This- position was taken by the house when it reversed the report of the house interstate and foreign commerce committee, which would have prevented free passage to American ships, and passed the present bill. Passage of Bill Assured. The ultimate passage of the measure now'before the senate seems assured. The men behind the bill In the senate said that the British note would not prevent consideration of the measure whenever it could be reached in the ordinary course of business; but the position of Great Britain will strengthen the opposition to the free, provision. , The state department probably will not undertake to reply to the British government on its own behalf, but will regard itself as subject to the action of congress on the bill, and will allow congress to dictate any reply to the British protest. Should the bill become a law over the protest of Great Britain, it Is scarcely (expected that the matter will end there, as British, and particularly Canadian interests, undoubtedly would force further diplomatic ac tlon by London, and when these means were exhausted The Hague tribunal would be the court of last resort.