17 AUGUST 1912, Page 2

On Friday week the United States Senate passed the Panama

Canal Bill by 47 votes to 15. Several amendments were carried. American railroads were prohibited from owning ships that use the canal. The provision for the passage of American coasting ships free of tolls was retained. American deep- sea ships were also given free passage on certain con- ditions. In a joint conference of the two Houses on Wed. nesday the last provision was struck out. But the Bill as it stands is still in violation of the sense of the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. The protests of the British Foreign Office have been ignored. It is believed that the Bill will not be substantially changed from its present shape. And it is not considered likely that if both Houses finally agree Mr. Taft will withhold his sanction from the Bill.