PANAMA TOLLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 212, 7 March 1914, Page 5

PANAMA TOLLS.

PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT. FAVORABLY KKCEIVKI). By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Washington, March o. Supporters of the President's campaign against the exemption of American ships from Panama Canal tolls announce they are certain that the President's policy will be carried in both houses, despite opposition. "Mr. WiUon shares this confidence. President Wilson addressed Congress in person, urging that lie was unable to know how to deal with other and more delicate matters if Congress did not support him on this question. "We ought," he said, "to reverse our action without question as to whether we are right or wrong, and so once more deserve our reputation for generosity and the redemption of every obligation without quibble or hesitation. Everywhere, except in the United States, the language of the treaty is given but one interpretation, and that interpretation precludes the exemption r am asking you to repeaJ." The message was applauded. The Bill to give effect to it has been introduced in the Senate. AMERICA'S HONOR AT STAKE. WITHDRAWAL ONLY COURSE. Received 6, 10.25 p.m. Washington, March 6. President Wilson, in a brief message to Congress, said that, after full and mature judgment, he considered the exemption was a mistaken economic policy from every view point, and was a plain contravention of the Hay-Paunee-fote treaty. "We accepted that treaty," he added, "and we are too big, powerful, and self-respecting to adopt a too strained and refined interpretation of it. The only thing we can afford to do is to voluntarily withdraw from the position. Everywhere the question was misunderstood."