The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-19
PRESIDENT SENDS
TAFT TO ISTHMUS
Secretary Of War Will Visit Pan
anna to Heal Differ
ences.

Washington, Oct. l9.-The president
has instructed Secretary of War Taft
to proceed at an early date to Pana-
ma to confer with the president of that
republic with a view to composing the
differences that have arisen between
the two countries.
The following letter has been sent
by the president to the secretary of
war after conference with the secre-
tary of state and the secretary of war
in respect to the conditions in Panama:
by executive order Of May e,1eo4,
/ placed under your immediate super
vision the work Of the isthmian canal
commission, both in the construction of
the canal and in the exercise of such
governmental powers as it seemed nee
essary for the United States to exercise
under the treaty with the republic of
Panama in the canal strip.
There is ground for believing that
in the execution Of the rights conferred
by the treaty, the people Of Panama
have become unduly alarmed at the
effect of the establishment of a gov
eminent in the canal strip by the COM
mission. Apparently they fear lest the
effect be to create out of part of their
territory a competing and independent
community which shall in jurionsly .af-
IS5NiS.
nues and diminish their prestige as a
nation.
/ 8. Benefit to Panama.
ssThe United States is about to con-
fer on the people of the state Of Pana-
diture Of millions Of dollars in the con-
struction Of the canal. But this fact
must not blind us to the Importance
of so exercising the authority given
us under the treaty with Panama as to
avoid creating any. suspicion, however
sunfounded, OF our intentions as to the
future. We have not the slightest in
tention of establishing an independent
colony in the middle Of the state Of
governmental functions than are neces-
sary to enable us conveniently and
safely to construct, maintain and oper-
ate the canal under the rights given
us by the treaty. Least of all do we
desire to interfere with the business
and prosperity Of the people Of Panama.
"However far just construction Of
the exigencies Of the case require, in
asserting the equivalent Of sovereignty
over the canal strip, it is our full inten-
tion that the rights which we exercise
shall be exercised with all proper care
for the honor and interests of the peo-
pie Of Panama. The exercise Of such
powers as are given us by the treaty
the Repabcs Of PANAMA m p0se easIy e
a real sympathy for both the present
and future welfare of the people Of
Panama is not shown, create distrust
of the American government. This
would seriously interfere with the sue
cess of our great project in that coun-
/. ftIt is Of the utmost Importance that
those who are ultimately responsible
for the policy pursued should have at
first hand as Trustworthy information as
can be obtained in respect to the condi-
lions existing in Panama and the atti-
tude and real interests Of the people of
that state.
Taft to the Isthmus.
.After a conference with the secre.
tary Of state and yourself ! have con
Guided that it will be Of great advan.
tage If you can visit the isthmus of
Panama in person and hold a conference
with the president and other govern.
mental authorities Of the Republic OF
Panama. You are authorized in doing
you desire, familiar with the conditions
in the isthmus, who may aid you with
their counsel. The earlier you are able
to make this visit the better.
The secretary of state will instruct
the United States minister at Panama
to render you every assistance in his
power and the governor Of the cana
strip, General Davis, will Of course dc
the same thing. You will advise the
president Of the republic what the pol
icy of this government is to be and as
sure him that it is not the purpose OF
the United States to take advantage Of
1 the rights conferred upon it by the
treaty to interfere with the welfare
and prosperity Of the state Of Panams
or Of the cities Of Colon and Panama
You will make due report Of the result
of your visit on your return. -
Senior Obaldia, minister of Panama
to the United States, held conference
with The secretary Of state and secre
tary of war subsequent to the receipt o:
this letter and the secretary Of wa.
invited the minister to accompany hin
on his trip to Panama. It is impossible
to say exactly when the secretary O:
war can leave, but probably on Nov. Ia