TOLLS QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1914, Page 7

TOLLS QUESTION

PANAMA CANAL DR. WILSON CONFERS WITH DEMOCRATIC LEADER PARTY HARMONY. x (By Telegraph,— Press Association,— Copyright.) (Received February 20, 8.20 a.m.) LONDON, 19th February. Reuters Agency states that President Wilson conferred with Mr. Underwood, who said that though the repeal of the Panama, Canal tolls exemption clause might be forced through, it would be highly dangerous to the Democrats Party's harmony. Dr. Wilson asks Congress to rescind the exemption clause, on the ground that rescission is important to the country's foreign policy. THE PRESIDENT ACCUSED OF INCONSISTENCY. A DENIAL. WASHINGTON, 18th "February. During the Panama Canal tolls debate in the Senate^ Senator Bristol accused President Wilson of inconsistency in telling the Suffragists that he was unable to agree to the Suffrage Bill, as the Democrats had not included it in their platform, while simultaneously requesting Congress to reserve to itself the 'tolls question, despite the fact that the Democratic Party had endorsed it. Senator Lodge denied the accusation against the- President, stating that Dr. Wilson was actuated by a desire to .restore the United States to its former prestige. The President was unwilling to see the United States an outlaw amongst the civilised nations of the world. SENATOR LODGE'S APPEAL. (Received February 20, 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, 19th February. Senator Lodge appealed to the Sehate nob to oppose Dr. Wilson on the ground of foreign policy. FRENCH INTERESTS MINISTERIAL COMMISSION SET UP. (Times— Sydney Sun Special Cables.) PARIS, 19th February. A Ministerial Commission has been appointed to consider the question of the utilisation of the Panama Canal for French interests. QUESTION OF THE HOUR MINDS OF U.S. LEGISLATORS EXERCISED. (Received February 20, 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, 19th February. The Panama Canal tolls question is exercising the minds of legislators to the exclusion of other pending questions. _ • The President took the opportunity to explain during the conferences witH Democratic opponents of the proposed rescission of the exemption clauses that he did not ' thinly there was any other way to placate British sentiment. The universal view throughout Europe was that the United States' attitude was wrong. The only honourable course was to rectify it. Dr. Wilson is confident of favourable action by Congress.