THE CANAL BILL,

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1523, 20 August 1912, Page 7

THE CANAL BILL,

——» MB. TAFT SEEKS MODIFICATION. By Telegraph-Prees Ajssociation-Oopyrlzht (Rec. August 20, 0.10 a.m.) Washington, August ID. Tho President, Mr. Taft, hos informally discussed tho Panama Canal Bill with members of tho Cabinet, but no decision has been reached whether the President will veto tho Bill. . Mr.. Taft is anxious to 6ecure a legal test regarding the free tolls for American ships. It is understood that Cabinet rogards tho clause as not, in conformity with tho Hay-Pauncefote Treaty with Great Britain. Mr. Taft will confer with the leaders of tho House and the Senate. Ho has been informed that it is too lato to amend, and ho must veto the Bill unless the Republicans and Democrats will agree on a joint resolution showing that tho United States has no intention of abrogating the treaty with Britain. Such a resolution'■would permit foreign countries to tost the validity of the Act in the United States courts, EMBARRASSING PROVISIONS. Washington, August 18. Mr. Taft privately declares that tho provision's in the Panama Canal Bill, giving American ships freedom from tolls, may prove a serious embarrassment, and he is not sure that he will sign tho meas--ure in its present shape. Ho favours- an amendment permitting foreigners to test tho provisions by euits in the American Courts. It is, however, too late to attach an amendment to the Bill.