William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson

William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925

WWP17820

1913 June 12

William Jennings Bryan writes to Woodrow Wilson regarding the British treaty concerning the Panama Canal tolls controversy.

Wilson Papers, Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

My dear Mr. President

I spoke to you yesterday about an objection made to the British treaty by Senator Vardaman. I arranged for a ride with him this morning in order to get his point of view and I find, according to his statement, that there is a very strong feeling in the Senate against the submission of the toll question to arbitration and that this is the foundation of the objection to the treaty. The argument made is that Great Britain having asked for arbitration under the provisions of the former treaty, the Senators who are opposed to arbitrate the toll question are afraid that ratification of this treaty, which is a renewal of the former one, might be construed as the endorsement of the position taken by Great Britain. I suggested to Senator Vardaman that the objection could be removed by a resolution declaring that the ratification of the treaty should not be construed as a decision upon this point. He seemed to think that that might be sufficient, although some of the Senators he was afraid might favor a resolution specifically declaring against Great Britain’s contention. I tried to show him that it was unwise to anticipate this question or to attempt to decide it before it was brought before the Senate. Talking with the French Ambassador this morning, I asked him what he thought of the resolution which I suggested to Senator Vardaman and he approved of it very heartily.
Such a resolution would not embarrass us at all, and it occurs to me that this may be an easy way out of the difficulty and enable us to secure prompt action on all the treaties. I am hastily submitting it for your consideration, because I told Vardaman that while it seemed to me a proper thing to do, I would not attempt to speak for you, and asked him not to say anything about it until I had time to present the matter to you.

Awaiting an expression of your views,
I am, my dear Mr. President,
Very truly yours,
WJ Bryan


The President,
The White House.PS Have been talking with Chamberlain & think I have made some progress.¹

Letter

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924