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THE.ATLANTA SEMI-WEEKLY-JOURNAL, ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1913.
THE SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL
ATLANTA, GA., 5 NORTH FORSYTH ST.
Entered at the Atlanta Postoffice as Mail Matter of
the Second Class.
JAMES R. GRAY,
President and Editor.
Georgia’s Increasing Corn Crop.
In their convection yesterday at Athens, the dis
trict field agents of the Government’s farm demon
stration work estimated that the increasing volume
of Georgia’s corn crop amounts to thirty million
dollars a year. This is particularly comforting news
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Farm Marketing.
At a time when the cost of living is so burden
some as it is today the public finds keen interest
in view of the recent assertion by well -known au
thorities that the State has been importing annually
some eighty, million bushels of corn which could
easily be produced on its own soil.
Mr. J. Phil Campbell, who represents the federal
department of agriculture in Georgia and whose
earnest and efficient work has made the entire State
his debtor, is much encouraged over the growing
interest in corn cultivation. The movement toward
diversified crops and economic methods of farming
is now cheeringly under way. The tyranny of the
one crop fetish is being broken. Planters are realiz
ing, as never before, that it profits them nothing to
devote all their land and energy to cotton and then
have to spend their money for food necessities.
The eighty million bushels of corn which Georgia
has been buying irom distant sections have taken
from the State each year more than fifty-eight mil
lion dollars. That amount of money can he kept at
home and turned to woiidrously productive account
whenever the average farm raises its own grain. The
reports of the district agricultural agents indicate
that a thoughtful readjustment of affairs has begun
and is moving steadily forward. If the State’s corn
crop is increasing anything like thirty million dol
lars a year, it will not be lopg before Georgia can
more than supply its own demands and can take its
rightful place as a seller instead of a buyer'in the
markets of the nation.
This development is due largely to the Govern
ment’s farm demonstration corps; largely, too, to
the splendid service and influence of the State Col
lege of Agriculture; and it is due particulary, we
believe, to the work of the Boys’ Corn clubs whose
young legions are belting the State with a crusade
of agricultural progress.
in every reasonable plan to provide shorter and
cheaper methods for bringing the farmer’s produce
to the consumer’s pantry. Naturally, then, the bill
now before Congress calling for the establishment of
a bureau or “division” of markets in the department
of agriculture has evoked nationwide approval.
This project, if carried into effect as apparently it
will be, will benefit the public in general and the
farmers in particular. To no part of the country will
it prove more serviceable and stimulating than to
the South; it is a matter of peculiar satisfaction to
the people of Georgia to know that this constructive
measure was introuuced by Senator Hoke Smith, and
that it has the earnest support of Senator Bacon and
of the State’s entire delegation in Congress.
Through the proposed division of markets, the
Government would investigate the systems of mar
keting farm products both in America and in foreign
countries and would distribute this information to
interested individuals and associations. The farmers
would thus have the advantage of the whole world’s
experience in this important field of enterprise and
they could improve t’heir own methods accordingly.
The division of markets would go further and, to
quote directly from the pending bill, would make
“investigation of the demand for farm products in
various trade centers and the current movement of
'sutTrTnrrtttrctsv-giving specific data as to the supply,
the normal demand and the price thereof, with a
view to furnishing information as to the best avail
able markets.” These reports would be communi
cated to the farmers through frequent bulletins, sent
either through the mails or by wire, so that the pro
ducer would he in continual touch with a source of
complete and accurate knowledge of market condi
tions. It may he said, without going into details,
that the bill provides practical and economic means
for meeting the cost’of such service.
It is estimated that of a nine-billion dollar food crop
one-third remains on the farm, so that the producers
actually sell about six billion dollars’ worth. But -y
the time these products have reached the kitchen
they have' cost the consumers something like thir
teen billion dollars, a fact which shows that between
the producer and the consumer there now stretches
a great gulf of unnecessary expense and waste.
Suppose that even a reasonable fraction of this
intermediate expense could be cut away; certainly
the cost of living would be appreciably lowered and
at the same time the farmer could get a better price
for his products. As conditions now are the farmers
receive only six billion dollars while the consumers
pay thirteen billions.
This tremendous difference of seven billion dol
lars is made up partly, of course, of thoroughly rea
sonable and necessary expenses, those for instance of
transportation and of a fair profit for dealers and
retailers. But it is nevertheless evident that our
present methods of distribution are woefully defec
tive and extravagant and that they work a needless
hardship both upon the farmers and the consumers.
The purpose of the bill now before Congress is to
improve those methods by establishing means
whereby the producer and the consumer can deal
more directly and more intelligently, one with the
other. It would prevent the’ congestion of products
in some markets and their scarcity in others. It
would give wider and more definite value to the
new parcel post systenj. In brief, it would supplant
the speculative and almost chaotic manner in which
farm products are now marketed with a well co
ordinated and economic system.
In behalf of the households ?,nd the agricultural
interests of the United States, it is to he hoped that
this progressive and eminently practical measure
will be enacted by Congress promptly in order that
its benefits may become available in the immediate
future.
Welcome Winter.
Georgia peach growers can join heartily with
Amiens in singing “Blow, blow, thou winter wind;”
'for, at this stage of the year the most skirling blast
is not so unkind to an orchard as premature and
treacherous spring weather would be.
Weeks ago the traditional alarm over the peach
crop was sounded. January seemed to have fallen
asleep at its post and Winter, forgetting his gray
hairs, fell to flirting scandalously with a hoydenish
spring. From southern quarters of the State came re
ports that peachtrees were budding and some of
them, the stories went, were almost bursting into
bloom. Such conditions unchecked would have proved
fatal to the fruit; for, though our northern and
eastern friends are disposed, to wink knowingly over
these yearly alarms, there is generally a very seri
ous basis for the peach grower’s anxiety.
More often than not, "however, the weather re
considers and turns cold in time to spare the
orchards. The present fall in temperature has
averted any immediate peril but it behooves all de
vout peach lovers to keep praying for ,ice and
crabbed, winds,
Farm Lands and Loans.
The town of Laharpe, Kansas, is evidently a
prosperous and farsighted community. Its treasury,
after supplying all municipal needs has a substan
tial surplus. The city authorities have decided that
instead of depositing this fund in banks they will
offer it as loans to the farmers of the adjacent
country at five per cent interest, accepting as secur
ity mortgages on the land.
Not every town, indeed, few are so fortunate as
to have an overflowing public treasury, though if
their affairs were always conducted under a busi
nesslike system of government, that might more fre
quently be the ease. But where such a surplus does
exist it could not he turned to better account than
the development of agricultrual interests.
If this is true of thtx West, it is even more em
phatically true of the South. One of the vital needs
of this section is the means of securing money at a
reasonable rate of interest* for the improvement of
farms and the consummation of other constructive
enterprises. And one of the most inviting oppor
tunities for'capital in the East and the North and
even in Europe is the lending of money for this
purpose and on these terms.
The natural resources of the South are, perhaps,
unparalleled and oertainly unsurpassed in any quarter
of this continent. In the soil of Georgia and neigh
boring States practically everything needed for
man’s sustenance can be grown; and the harvests
are as abundant as they are varied. What bettor
security, then, could an investor obtain or desire than
land of this character'. A mortgage on such a farm
is as safe as a Government bond.
There are cheering signs that the sources of cap
ital are at length discovering this truth. The estab
lishment of easy and economic connections between
them and Souther^ enterprise has already begun.
The time is fast approaching, if indeed it is not
already at hand, when the acres of this section will
be considered, as they really are, one of the soundest
securities and one of the richest investments to be
found in the world.
The Tree Planters of Ware.
Long life and many branches to the Ware County
Tree Planting Association!
This interesting enterprise which was recently
projected by the alert citizens of Waycross, and
which is now extending to the adjacent country dis
tricts will give organized energy to the growing
sentiment for shade trees along city streets and
rural highways. The dues of the society will be
payable in trees and every member, man, woman or
child, will pledge himself to plant at least one tree
each year. If this purpose is consistently carried
out, Waycross and its environs will h e transformed.
The community will be even more prosperous tha o
now; its realty values will increase, its appeal to
home seekers will be more distinctive and its busi
ness as well as civic interests will feel a quickening
touch.
It is scarcely less important to protect and to
increase the trees of a city than it is to conserve
those of the forest. Aside from* their vital bearing
upon public health and comfort, trees add vastly to
the appearance and the worth of property. They
are the primal and the crowning touch of that sub
tle asset called civic beauty. A growing town cannot
afford to neglect its shade trees; for, the time will
come when they will he difficult to get and wdxen
their absence will be a sharp misfortune.
Shade trees are as desirable along country roads
as on city thoroughfares. The latest endeavor in
the good roads movement takes account of this fact
and throughout the Union, there is an effort to make
roads attractive with borders of trees as well a’s
durable and serviceable. A highway of this char
acter enhances the value of every farm by which it
passes and upbuilds the interests of all the country
about.
It is to be hoped that the Ware County Tree
Planting Association will continue active and that
its example will bestir similar enterprises through
out the State.
A Messenger of Progress.
The spirit of enterprise and prosperity now astir
in Florida has found a particularly pleasing messen
ger in the “Progress” edition of the Florida Times-
Union, of Jacksonville. The Times-Union has long
held a distinctive place in Southern newspaperdom
and its daily task is that of upbuilding its com
munity and State; but this special issue marks an
extraordinary achievement. ^
Comprising seventy-six pages of interesting and
accurate information, well written, attractively illus
trated and designed in a really materly fashion, the
“Progress” edition is a credit to the Times-Union
and a rich asset to all Florida. Indeed, its stimulat
ing effect will be felt for the good of the entire
South,
Intervention As a Last Resoru
Except as a last resort, the United States can ill-
afford to intervene in the Mexican situation; yet, if
all-persuasive’measures fail and the present reign of
terror continues, our Government, as the great guar
dian of the western world, will be compelled to shoul
der its political and moral responsibilty. The cost or
intervention would be stupendous; but recreance to
the cause of civilization would be unworthy of the
American people.
A United States army, once across the Mexican
border, would doubtless have to remain for long
years or decades. This task, once assumed would
be heavier and more intricate than that of the
Philippines. Aside from its far-reaching toll of
money and lives, it would distract the nation’s
thought from the all important work of -economic
and political reform upon which we are just enter
ing. The means and energy that are needed for the
betterment of our own people would be diverted to
foreign uses and the era of internal progress that is
at hand would be set back a generation. Therefore,
until the duty of intervention becomes clear and in
escapable, this Government should cleave to the pru
dent policy it has thus far pursued and not thrust
itself into a Mexican problem.
That does not mean, however, that the United
States should spare any pacific effort to restore
order and civilization to its neighboring country.
While avoiding forcible intervention as long as possi
ble, it should do its utmost to effect some measure
of mediation. Mr. John Barrett, director general of
the Pan-American Union, has proposed, in this con
nection, a plan which, if it can be carried out, will be
admirably useful. His idea is that the United
States take the lead in forming a peace commission,
to he composed of one statesman from this country,
another from some of the South American republics
and a third from Mexico itself, who would undertake
to bring a truce to the fighting and then to adjust
the Mexican differences with a view to responsible
and efficient government. Such a course would as
sure the Latin republics that the .United States had
no selfish designs toward any of their territory and
would allay the suspicions of that character, which
now undoubtedly e?:ist. Whether it would be- practi
cable is, of course, open to question. But if media
tion in any manner or by any means can he estab
lished and can accomplish desired results, it will be
preferable to intervention.
If, however, the terrible conditions which now pre
vail in Mexico City and which to one extent or an
other have existed in various parts of the country for
the past two years are not terminated by the Mexi
cans themselves, then the United States cannot evade
its manifest duty. Under the Monroe doctrihe, this
Government is responsible, in a measure at least,
for the safety of European interests in Mexico; if it
would enjoy the advantage of that policy it must
stand prepared to meet its responsibilities. Other
wise it canpot expect the European powers to keep
their hands off.
But not until all other efforts have failed and the
demand for intervention is crucial, should the UDitel
States plunge into this troublous situation.
A Fruitful Exposition.
The South in general and the Palmetto State in
particular are to he congratulated on the National
Corn exposition which for three weeks past has
been in progress at Columbia. Friday is the last day
of the exhibits but the popular interest and the ideas
they have engendered will continue to bear rich re
sults for years to come.
This exposition has been far more than a display
of grain products. It has been an object lesson and
a rallying point for the improvement of practically
every field of agriculture; and, true to its name, it
has been really national in scope. Exhibitors and
visitors were present from every part of the South
and also from the West. The resources and the
progress of this section in the production of corn
were demonstrated more' strikingly, perhaps, than
ever before. Emphasis was placed on the work of
the Boys’ Corn clubs, and of all other enterprises
designed to promote scientific farming and to enrich
rural life.
Of particular interest and value is the fact that
the exposition stressed the economic and the busi
ness side of agriculture. Until the farmer becomes
a good business man, he cannot enjoy the indepen
dence and the financial rewards which his station
makes possible; for after crops have been skillfully
sown and cultivated and harvested there remains the
final and very important task of marketing them
skillfully and there arise divers other problems
which call for thoroughgoing business methods.
This subject formed a distinctive part of the dis
cussions at the National Corn exposition. It was
the keynote of many of the lectures and it brought
practical testimony and suggestions from a number
of the exhibitors, notably those from the Middle
West. In Georgia there are heartening signs that
farmers are becoming alert to the business side of
their interests. In several counties, co-operative
associations for the purchase of supplies and the
marketing of products have recently been formed.
This movement is bound to spread; for, wherever
it is undertaken its results will stimulate others to
similar action.
In promoting the National Corn exposition, South
Carolina has won prestige for herself and has’ren
dered vital service to the entire country.
Sanitary Methods in Canning.
Through its board of directors now in session at.
Louisville, Ky., the National Canners’ Association
has stressed the importance of sanitary methods in
the great fields of industry it represents. Reforms
from within are generally more expeditions and often
more thorough than those imposed from without;
and, so, it is particularly gratifying to hear that the
canners themselves are giving thought to a matter
that so vitally concerns the public welfare.
A majority of the families in this country are
dependent in one way or another upon some form of
canned products for their table supplies. Meats and
starchy foods as well as fruits are being canned on
a larger and larger scale and the use of such articles
is steadily increasing. As the Louisville Courier-
Journal declares in commenting upon the action of
the* Canners’ Association: “The cannery is a val
uable institution. It takes the surplus products from
the farms, the orchards and the truck patches.
Through systematic-processes it, is able to preserve
them for indefinite periods and by its economic
method of handling is able to put them quickly on'
the markets—generally at reasonable prices.”
The very extent of this industry makes it espe
cially needful that it be conducted with the most
sanitary methods possible; otherwise it would prove
a menace rather than a benefit to the public.
Dr. Frank
Crane
Frederic
J. Haskin
TWO WOMEN
SEWING
Panama Canal Tolls
For genuine soul-satisfying communion and joy of
talk 1 know nothing that seems more perfect than tftat
time when one woman brings her sewing and drops
in to spend the afternoon with
another woman. I say seems,
for of course *1 never tried it. T.
am versed enough in womanly
arts to be .able to cook a bit,
that is I can fry you a fair
plateful of ham and ,eggs and
make real coffee, but sewing is
beyond me. *
There must be only two
women. A third is a restraint.
When the two get settled in
their respective rocking chairs,
and the sewing materials are
brought forth, then begins the
most ideal bubbling of human
speech.
jThe children are at school,'the
men folks are at business, the
hired gir.l is out; no one is by to
They talk. It is real talk. It is not talk about
anything, it is just talk, in its freest form. It is
perfect self-expression.
Neither wishes especially to hear what the other
has to say; each wishes to say her own say.
They think of so many things, and so fast, that
sometimes they are both talking at the same time,
like a grand opera duet.
They say whatever pops into their minds. Thetr
range is bounded not by the bounds of the universe.
They say what they would not say at any other
time and place, what they would not tell their hus
band or children or mother. .
If they treat of scandal, it is in its most artistic,
appetizing form. But they do not speak of whispered
matters nearly as much as they are supposed to, and
when they do it is with so purely a feminine touch
that it is almost antiseptic.
They relate how Jennie w r ears out her stockings
and Mildred cannot eat pastry, the felon on Bobby’s
finger, and the way Mrs. Humperdinck’s last gown
is made. They also give judgment on politics, litera
ture, art, society, and religion.
There is an air of eternity about the sitting. There
is an atmosphere of universality and eclecticism here
you find nowhere else.
It is the most natural forthputting of personality
you can discover anywhere in Nature, except in the
twittering of two birds.
Men are not capable of this free outpour in con
versation. So much the worse for them.
Aerograms From Antiquity
BY EDWARD J. COSTELLO
PARIS, Feb. 11—(A. D. 1810).—Aaron Burr, for
mer vice president of the United States, and the man
who once planned to be emperor of Mexico, arrived
here today from Germany, with the earmarks of pov
erty visible in his shabby clothing and indicating the
depths of the vicissitudes through which, apparently,
he has recently passed. Just what the slayer of
Alexander Hamilton, now completely ruined in char
acter and fortune, expects to accomplish here is a
matter of speculation. Probably he doesn’t know
himself.
Few men have had more spectacular careers than
has had Burr. His misfortunes may be said t<i date
from the killing of Hamilton in *hat duel in the
woods near Weehawken, N. J v July 11, 1804. If he
had never run for vice president in 1800, and in that
contest disclosed political traits which caused him to
be generally distrusted, there might not have been a
duel, he might not have become a fugitive, and today
he might be living in splendor in his own land, in
stead of bucking the fates in an unfriendly world
capital, f |
This Princeton graduate had served with distinc
tion as a member of General Washington’s official
family in the Revolution, had filled official positions
in his own state with credit to himself, and had been
elevated to the senate as a mark of the confidence
had in him. But when he sought the governorship
of New York, after his election as vice president, and
was defeated, there arose the trouble with Hamilton
which resulted in the challenge for a duel. This
tragedy caused so much feeling against Burr that he
fled to South Carolina upon learning that the coroner’s
jury nad returned a verdict of murder against him.
lit, was indicted, but after public clamor wore itself
out he returned to Washington and served the re
mainder of his term as vice president.
With the blasting of his political fortunes Burr
w*ent to New Orleans, where he made the acquaintance
of Harmon Blennerhasset, which resulted in one of
the worst scandals ever attached to his name. He
formed the plan of obtaining a large tract of land,
Ifeither by conquest or purchase, and establishing an
independent government, with himself as chief ruler.
Mexico appealed to him, and he decided to capture
that country and set himself up as emperor, witn
Blennerhasset as a duke and ambassador to England.
The president of the United States, however, had
been keeping himself posted as to Burr’s proceedings,
and on October 27, 1806, denounced the whole under
taking as treasonable. Burr was arrested January 14,
1807, escaped, but was shortly afterward rearrested
in Alabama and conveyed to Richmond, where h e was
placed on trial for treason May 22. of the same year.
On September 1, after a long and wearisome trial,
the jury returned a verdict of “not guilty.”
1
:say them nay.
Markets for Farmers
(From the Washington Post).
Since the high cost of living was one issue on
which the Democratic party waged its successful
battle for the presidency, it is essential that ihe
leaders of that party should give thought to ways
and means for affording relief to the people in the
next .four years. Already there has been some de
cline in prices, but this is due to natural fluctua
tions, and it is presumed that the Democratic leaders
will feel that some effort must be made to bring
about a permanent reduction.
The parcel post may yet aid in the reduction of
the cost of living, but something is needed to give
the machinery of that new adjunct to the postal
service real motive power. Senator Hoke Smith, of
Georgia, who is one of the strongest leaders of nis
party in the senate, has introduced a bill which
may vitalize the parcel post into a real agency for
the reduction of the cJst of living.
/ Senator Smith’s bill provides for the establish
ment in the department of Agriculture of a division
of markets, which shall make investigation as to
the systems of marketing farm products, co-operative
or otherwise, in practice In various sections of the
country and in foreign countries, and distribute such
information to individuals and organizations inter
ested in the subject. The bill specifically provides
that it shall be the duty of the director of the divi
sion of markets to make “investigation of demands
for farm products in various trade centers and the
current movement of such products, giving specific
data as to the supply, normal demand, and price
thereof, with the view* of furnishing information as
to the best available markets.”
A general system of telegraphic, telephonic, aad
letter messages and bulletins for the farmers and
granges would be provided, and it would enable the
farmers to adopt plans of marketing that would
facilitate the handling of farm products at a mini
mum of cost. At present many of the farmers are
in ignorance of the best methods of marketing, some
times glutting one city while another faces a short
age.
The parcel post enables the farther to get into
direct touch with the consumer, -but under the pres
ent system he does not know' what consumer want3
his produce or exactly what prices are current Sen
ator Smith’s bill would supply that deficiency The
division of markets would be to the farmers what
the bureau of foreign and domestic commerce is to
business men.
President Taft by authority of congress has fixedj
the tolls, to be charged ships passing through the,
Panama canal at $1.20 a ton. That is, all ships arel
to be charged at this rate ex-
epet those ships bearing the!
American flag being engaged!
in the coastwise trade. * Such'
ships are to pass toll free.
“Coastwise trade” means that'
shipping trade that is carried!
on exclusively between two or
more ports of the United 1
States. The law for many,
many years has given a mono
poly of all such coastwise
trade to American ships.
* * *
Now it happens that many;
years ago when a canal from
the Atlantic to the Pacific was
proposed to be constructed b.Y
private enterprise, the United'
States entered into a treaty
with Great Britain for the pur
pose of making such private
canal neutral in sovereignty and control, and for the
further purpose on the American part of maintaining
the Monroe Doctrine. At that time, of course, the
only ;ight the American government had in Central
America was the doctrine of the United States that
no European nation should acquire territory in the
Americas. That treaty, known as the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty, provided among other things that the canal
should be open to the United States and to Great
Britain and to such other nations as should agree to
the terms of the convention on terms of equality.
When the United States later decided to construct
the canal as a national undertaking it was discovered
that t.ie c\ayton-Bulwer treaty gave England rights
that were too inclusive, now that the canal was to
be a governmental and not a private enterprise.
Therefore, a new treaty, known as the Ilay-Paunce-
fote treaty, was negotiated in consideration of the
abrogation of Great Britain of its rights and privi
leges under the older compact. This last treaty
provided in so many words that the canal should be
open on terms “of entire equality to all nations.”
The entire controversy in its international aspect
hinges upon th e construction of this phrase. If “all
nations” includes the United States, then the official
American contention is wrong and the British C9n-
tention is right. For Great Britain insists that the
term "all nations” includes the United States and
that President Taft’s action, based upon the act of
congress, in exempting coastwise American vessels
from the payment of tolls is in violation of tho
treaty.
* * *
Many Americans say that the canal was built with
American money and that the Americans may do as
they please with it. Many other Americans insist
that a solemn treaty obligation is an honorable com
pact that may not be set aside lightly and without
the consent of the other party to the contract—they|
believe that in granting free tolls to American shipsj
in ‘the coastwise trade the president and congress
have dishonored th e American flag and have brought
the American nation into disgrace. Still others be
lieve that even if there were no treaty with Great
Britain that the exemption of the coastwise vessels 1
from the payment of tolls Is an unwarranted sub
sidy, since these vessels already have, by law, an
absolute monopoly of the trade in which they arol
engaged. *
* * *
When the completion of th© Panama canal loom-,
ed into sight. Colonel Goethals, the chief engineer of|
th e canal, advised the president that it was time)
for congress to enact a law fixing the tolls on tho!
canal and providing a permanent organization for itsj
operation. He stated that it would require two or
three years for shipping and shipping routes to be
readjusted, and that if we wer© going to hav© busi
ness for the canal as soon as it was ready to handle*
that business, legislation should be enacted as early
as possible.
* * ♦
With this in mind/ President Taft asked congress
for a law regulating th e matter of tolls. He recom
mended that these tolls should be levied on all ship
ping, whether it be American or foreign, coastwise or
otherwise. Later Mr. Taft changed his mind on the
subject and in a private communication to the com
mittee on interstate and foreign commerce of the
house of representatives delivered through Secretary,
Stimson, he recommended that coastwise shipping be
exempted. However, the committee reported in favor!
of tolls on all shipping. The Democrats were in a]
majority, but when the bill was voted on a few|
Democrats joined the Republicans to accept an
amendment by Mr. Doremus, of Michigan, a Demo-|
crat, exempting coastwise traffic from charges for 1
tolls.
* * *
Those who advocated the exemption of coastwise
shipping from the payment of tolls asserted that;
whatever rights England had under the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty, they could not be impinged upon by an
exemption of coastwise shipping, since England has
no interest whatever in that, and since * English ships
were excluded from handling it.
* * *
But England did not agree. The British said that
when the United States wished to undertake the
building of the Panama canal it came to Great Brit
ain and asked His Majesty’s government? to sur-,
render some of the rights it. had under the Clayton-,
Bulwer treaty, which had been in effect for fifty
years. One of the things that had to be gotten rid|
of was the agreement that neither government should
ever obtain or maintain for itself any exclusive con
trol over the canal. Another thing forbidden' by the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty was the right of fortifying the
canal. Englahd, also, under that treaty, had the
right of assisting in the protection of the canal.
* * *
It was desirable, when the United States deter
mined to build the canal as a government undertak
ing, that these treaty agreements should be amended,
and so the secretary of state, John Hay, negotiated
a treaty amending them with Lord Pauncefote, the
British ambassador.
It is under this treaty, read in the light of the
one whose place it took, that Great Britain insists
that its ships, in particular, and those of the nations
of the earth in general, shall be accorded the same
treatment that we accord our own. The British)
claim that thes£ two treaties give them the right to
every advantage for their shipping that we claim for,
our own, and that, therefore, not even American,
coastwise shipp^ig can be exempted from canal tolls
without violating th e treaty obligations entered Into;
in the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and reaffirmed in the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
♦ • *
As will be explained in a succeeding article, the,
British protest against the canal law makes numerous
admissions as to what the United States may dO|<
under the letter of the law, but at the same time
asserts that these things would be in direct contra-i
vention of the spirit of the Hay-Paun^efote treaty.
At the same time, the British government standsi
firmly on the ground^that the Clayton-BulVer treaty)
gave to English shipping every right that is enjoyed
by American shipping, and that this principle wasi
directly reaffirrped by the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
Spring* fisherman, beware of the game warden.
The city of Mexico is what might be called a
hustling town. •
The movies will have enough war material to last
them through the dull seasons.
Wall street has cause to be bothered, \jith all the
lambs staying close on the farm.