§ 3. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether friendly representations are being made to the United States Government with the aim of securing generous treatment of such British shipping as will pass through the Panama Canal; and, if so, whether he can make a statement on the subject?
§ 6. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any discrimination will be exercised against British or Canadian shipping using the Panama Canal; and whether he can make any statement on the subject to the House?
§ Sir E. GREYArticle 3, paragraph 1, of the terms of the Treaty between this country and the United States, signed at Washington on 18th November, 1901, stipulates that the Panama Canal shall be free and open to the vessels of commerce and of war of all nations observing these rules (that is, the Suez Canal Rules) on terms of entire equality, so that there shall be no discrimination against any such nation or its citizens or subjects, in respect of the conditions or charges of traffic or otherwise. As it appeared to His Majesty's Government that some of the provisions of a Bill now before the Senate would not be consistent with this Article of the Treaty, they have thought it right to point out this objection to the Government of the United States, that it may be taken into account while the Bill is under consideration.