Panama Canal

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 April 1914, Page 5

Panama Canal

the bill passed.

..BY A BIG MAJORITY,

By Cable—Press Association— Copyright Received 1, 8.10 p.m. Washington, March 31. Senator Sims' Bill repealing the tolls was passed by 248 to IG2. PICTURESQE li ORATORY. DECLAMATORY EFFORT BY THE SPEAKER. Received 1, 9.35 p.m. Washington, March 31.

Mr. Speaker Clark disclaimed any criticism of the President, and denounced the New York World, which had accused him of attacking President Wilson because he had lost the Presidency. Mr. Clark declared that he intended to fight strongly to maintain the Democratic platform at all costs. The United States, in order to build the canal, had actually created a republic, and Great Britain, | whom they had defeated on many occasions, was now demanding them to give up this right. Rather than do so, the United States would face the world in arms. The President's request for the repeal resembled the peace of God, in that it passed all understanding. The repeal meant the abandonment of the Monroe doctrine. This he would never allow.

The vote was taken amid intense excitement, and there was loud cheering when the result of the voting showed the triumph of the Wilsonian policy.

SENATORS USE THEIR IMAGINATION. PRESIDENT'S ACTION CONDEMNED. AN EXCITED POPULACE. Washington, March 31.

Supporters of the President's attitude on the Sims Bill predict a favorable majority, exceeding thirty. Senator Lewis, continuing the debate, asserted that the first moment the l.nited States moved into Mexico, with the object of re-asserting the Monroe doctrine against foreign nations there, Japan would seize the Philippines, and then capture Hawaii. Where would the United States then stand? If she were embroiled in Mexico., Russia could seize Alaska, in view of her Japanese alliance. South America was also unfriendly to the United States, and perhaps would seize the opportunity and might lend aid to Mexico.

Representative Knowiand, replying to the President, stated that he did not make the charge that there was any connection between the visits of the

British representatives to Washington and the ileal over the Panama tolls.

He merely asked the question whether the, Panama tolls repeal was the pvice paid. New York, March 31. At Philadelphia, at a mass meeting, resolutions were carried denouncing President Wilson's action in accepting the English demands and allowing the unconditonal surrender of the United States' sovereign rig'hts. Washington, March 31, Keen interest in the Panama debate is continuing. The galleries are crowded. No question in recent years lias excited the American public more. Representative Humphreys declared that the Democrats had been imposed on to carry out the confidence game being played by Japan and England with the object of securing the free use of the canal. .Speaker Clark declared he would rather see the canal walled up than give the British people any control ove l ' it. The canal was American for ever, for better or worse. The Government forces won the first decision, the voting being 247. against ICO. The figures indicate that the passage of the measure is practically assured.