The Obligations of the United States as to Panama Canal Tolls: Speech of Hon. Elihu Root of New York in the Senate of the United States; January 21, 1913 (Classic Reprint)

Topic and impact: A pivotal 1913 Senate speech on Panama Canal tolls, treaty obligations, and moving toward equal, peaceful transit.This edition presents Elihu Root’s detailed case about how the United States should conduct canal tolls, honor international commitments, and pursue arbitration over disputes. It frames the historical debate around the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, the Hay-Pauncefote agreement, and the 1903 Panama treaty, while underscoring the United States’ role as a steward of interoceanic passage for the world.Explore the arguments for equal treatment of all nations in canal tolls and transitLearn how early 20th-century treaties shaped U.S. policy and international lawRead about the concept of acting for the “benefit of mankind” rather than national advantageUnderstand the call for peaceful arbitration in disputes between nationsIdeal for readers interested in early American diplomacy, treaty history, and the Panama Canal’s legal and political backdrop. Read more