PANAMA CANAL TOLLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15557, 14 March 1914, Page 7

PANAMA CANAL TOLLS.

LOBBYING INVESTIGATIONS.

STATEMENT BY WITNESS.

AMBASSADOE IN TROUBLE.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

By Telegraph—Press ABSocinlion—Copyright.

(Received Msrch 13, 9.10 p.m.)

Washington, March 13. The committee appointed by the Senate to investigate the charges of lobbying heard further evidence yesterday.

One witness named Clarence Knight admitted receiving 1000 dollars (£200) from Admiral Bowles, a retired officer, now head of a shipbuilding company, for lobbying in favour of the exemption of the United States from the operation of the Panama Canal tolls. He said that he was promised additional sums, but never received them.

Admiral Bowles denied the charge.

The Senate yesterday adopted a resolution demanding that Mr. Walter H. Page (Ambassador to Britain) explain his speech dealing with the Panama Canal before the Associated Chambers of Commerce in London. The resolution declared that . Mr. Page's remarks portended that the policy of the State Department was to abandon upon demand the Monroe Doctrine, thus inviting European violation.

Senator Chamberlain, of Oregon, took exception to Mr. Page's definition of the Monroe Doctrine, and also wished an explanation of Mr. Page's meaning when he said the British would profit most by the construction of the canal.

The resolution was passed without debate.

The President informed callers yesterday that the Monroe Doctrine was as much a part of .American foreign policy to-day as 100 years ago. . Without expressing any opinion of Mr. Page's speech he refused to believe there was anything in the suggestion that the doctrine was obsolete.