THE PANAMA CANAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 90, 11 December 1912, Page 5

THE PANAMA CANAL.

THE QUESTION OF REBATES. THE FORT!EICATIONS. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) New York, December 9. Air. Stimson, in his report to the President, says that the law giving rebates for coastwise tolls for the Panama Canal is a false and unnecessary policy. He suggests that, instead, American vessels should be subsidised by the amount paid into the Treasury as tolls. Six thousand troops, it is estimated, will be required to defend the Canal fortifications at the Port and Harbour on the Island of'Oahu, where a large naval base will be established.

PRESIDENT TAFT’S DESIGN

AVashington, December 10. After. Mr. Bryce presented his Note relating to the Panama Canal, Air. Knox promised close consideration of it. Official circles declare that President Taft intends to settle the question before closing his administration. Either he will ask the Senate to agree to arbitration, or lie will negotiate a settlement directly with Britain. A petition is being numerously signed by university professors, presidents of business concerns, and professional men, asking President Taft to keep faith in the matter, even if it means the loss of commercial advantages. The petition asserts that the United States would be the first to resent the breach of a solemn eng foment by a foreign Power.

BRITAIN’S RESOLUTE STAND

London, December 10. Sir Edward Urey's despatch to Mr. Bryce declares that Britain has no desire to embarass the United States, but simply to urge the fulfilment of treaty obligations to the Powers. The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty agreed not to obtain exclusive control of the Canal. The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, however, gave back to the United States liberty of action on condition that equal treat ment was guaranteed to ships of all nations. If any sect’on cf shipping paid no tolls, foreign shipping was necessarily affected, particularly Brit sh. If the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty only secured the most favoured nation treatment, the value of the consideration given for superseding the Clayton-Bul-wer Treaty was not apparent. The British Government’s despatch presumes that the provision forb deling ships owned by railways using the Canal applies to the United States, and is confident of the correctness of the British interpretation. Sir Edward Grey offers arbitrations.

A NEWSPAPER’S REMARKS

(Received 11, 10.45 a.m.) London, December 10

The ‘Westminster Gazette,’ commenting on the Washington references to the Panama Canal, states: “We are actually told if arbitration is demanded the Senate will refuse to renew the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty when the time arrives.”