PANAMA PUZZLE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1786, 11 December 1912, Page 5

PANAMA PUZZLE.

WHAT THE TREATIES SAY. Press Assn—By Telegraph—Copyright (Received J0.30 p.m.) London, Yesterday. Discussing Sir Edward Grey's despatch, Hon. James Bryce, exAmbassador to the U. S. A., declares that Britain lias no desire to embarrass the United States but wished simply to urge the fulfilment of treaty obligations to the Powers. Clayton's Bulwer treaty agreed not to obtain exclusive control of the canal. The Hay-Pauncefote treaty gave the United States back its liberty of action on condition that equal treatment was guaranteed to ships of all nations. If any section of shipping paid no tolls, foreign shipping was necessarily affected, particularly the British. If the Hav-Pauncefote treaty only secures "most favoured nation" treatment the value of the consideration given for superseding the Clay-ton-Bulwer treaty was not apparent. The British Government's despatch presumes that the provisions forbidding shps owned by railway companies to use the canal only applies to the United States. Mr Bryce is confident of the correctness of the British interpretation. Sir Edward Grey offers arbitration.

PRESSURE IN AMERICA. REMARKABLE PUBLIC OPINION (Received 11.20 p.m.) Washington, December 10. After Mr Bryce, British Ambassador presented his Government's note relating to the Panama Canal, Senator Cox promised the closest consideration. Official circles declare that President Taft intends to settle the question before closing his administration. He will either ask the Senate to agree to arbitration on the Canal dues controversy, or negotiate a settlement directly with Britain. A petition is being numerously signed by university professors, presidents of business concerns, and professional men, asking Mr Taft to keep faith in the matter, even if it means that the United States loses commercial advantages. The petition asserts that the United States will be the first to resent the breach of a solemn engagement by a foreign power.