Some Suez Tolls Refunded.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 19, 1912:
Though the Question of Preferential Tariffs Has Never Arisen.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    LONDON, June 18.— The Daily Telegraph's shipping correspondent, writing in reference to the Panama bill, says:
    "The Suez Canal, being an International waterway, the question of preferential tariffs has never arisen, but all the same the fact remains that certain ships which take the Suez route get their canal dues reimbursed by their Governments. For instance, it transpires that under the new contract with the French Government the Messageries Maritimes is well repaid in Suez Canal dues to the amount of about £144,000 ($720,000) yearly.
    "It may be argued, of course, that if the canal dues were not refunded the subsidies paid by the Government would have to be increased correspondingly, and that the matter, therefore, is as broad as it is long, but the British Government never has recognized the principle of a free Suez Canal transit. Although the Russian Government pays canal dues regularly in the case of certain national vessels trading with its East Asiatic possessions, Great Britain would seem to be well within her rights if she were so disposed, in recouping British shipowners their canal dues in any part of the world.
    "In the case of the Suez Canal she certainly has a large fund available. Her income from the Suez Canal shares last year was no less -than £1,187,934, and the capital value of her shares on March 31 last returned £4,404,600, as compared to £3,760,800 on the same date in 1911. There is no sign, however, that British shipowners are going to get any relief from this source."