New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-19

llshed In full and fully discussed In the United
states as well as in Panama save. perhaps, to
point out that in fern and fact 1t is not treaty.
out an executive order OF the American gov
eminent. and that not in one lot or little does
II cancel modify or interpret the existing treaty
between the two countries. That treaty stands
unchanged. But there is something in the case
more important than even that executive order;
mat is, the impression produced upon the gov
ernment and people Of Panama and the sent-
ments and relations established between the
TWO countries have said Secretary Taft and
MS party were received with cordially and
with confidence, and that is quite true. 1t is
equally true that before he was commissioned
TO come hither there were widespread feelings
of suspicion of American motives and purposes
and discomfort with American relations.
Those feelings were doubtless unfounded,
were founded upon uisapprehension. misunder-
standing and Misrepresentation; the last, am
afraid too often wilful Men IN the United
States. as well In Panama, for factional
did or other unworthy motives. had maligned
! the American government and had represented
1t as seeking not merely to construct a canal
but TO plant q colony and to achieve a forcible
conquest. Those tales were false, but how were
the Panamans to be assured of the truth? There
was only way. and it wisely and
OPPORTUNITY adopted by President Roosevelt,
]
explanation and reinsurance. The mere an
nouncement of that appointment effected
marked change, The Panamans quickly
convinced that the policy of the United States
was one of reason and justice. and not Of AFRO
gance and force. This conviction was strength
ened by the attitude Of the American authori-
ties in the Huertas episode, for. while there were
those who wildly declared that the retirement
of Huertas AMI the disbanding of the Panaman
army would be quickly followed by American
conquest and annexation and that the Ameri-
government was intriguing to that end.
most men of thought and discretion realized the
absurdity of such views. They saw that if the
United States were bent upon the conquest of
Panama Huertas and his $50 soldiers would be
scarcely so much as straw in the way. More
than that. however. they that the United
States aiming at the support, and not the
suppression. of Panaman Independence, and
they presently testified. President Amador
himself has done, that American intervention.
or the promise of it, was not the spoliation but
/ the strengthening. not the destruction but the
| salvation, OF the young republic.
There were, I remember. some reports extant
in the United States that the of President
Roosevelts reelection had not produced a
favorable impression in Panama. They to
be dismissed as entirely untrue. The fact is
that the Of the result Of the election was
received here-not only by Americans but by the
Panamans-with enthusiastic and practically
universal rejoicing. The American Legation was
literally overwhelmed by the multitude who
thronged thither TO express in person their con-
gratUlations and their JOY. while the city was
given up TO music, fireworks. parades and
speechmaking. This was the more significant
coming as it did upon the very heels of the
Huertas incident. Panamans that the Roose-
Welt administration had saved their republic
from revolution and was sending distinguished
mission TO assure 1t of justice. Why should they
not exult in the retention OF that adminIstra-
ton in power? Thus favorably disposed were
the Panamans toward Secretary Taft upon his
arrival. Hts every word and act during his
stay here has confirmed them in that DISPOSE
ton. Finally, the terms of the executive order
issued by him as the result of the conferences
between him and President Amador have vim
dicated their confidence and satisfied their ex
pectations. Before he and before that
| order was issued they did not know how the
United States would execute the canal treaty.
Now they do know, and they we'll pleased.
It is not too much to say that tonight 80 per
cent of the intelligent people Of Panama are
not only satisfied, but profoundly gratihed with
the result of Secretary Tafts mission. There
need be no hesitation in regarding that mission
as a complete success. The differences between
the United States and Panama are settled.
Will they remain settled? Prophecies
rash. We must remember the temptations and
the opportunities of party politics. In the
United States we have. in all ages of the repuD
| lie, seen men unworthily ready and eager TO
compromise foreign relations for the sake
/ OF factional advantages in domestic affairs. We
cannot expect Panamans to be better in that
! respect than we. The relations OF the isthmian
republic with the United States afford easy
! % 10
that they will at time be thus used. The
opposition viii scarcely, however, now go so
far as to attack the government for the treaty
and the supplementary agreement which It has
made with the United States. The probability
is that it would itself have made practically the
Same treaty and agreement had it been in power
instead Of IN opposition, and in such crcum-
stances, known and appreciated by the people.
open agitation against the present arrangement
would be rs futile as it would be unpatriotic.
Moreover, time Is on our side. and on the side
Of the existing status. Every month that
passes will reveal more clearly to the Panamans
the hollowness Of their fears and suspicious and
the substantial reality Of the benefits arising
from their connection with the United States.
It has been said of some communities that they
did not for and did not appreciate the
sanitary and other improvements introduced by
American administrators. That must not be
said of Panama. The people realize their need
| OF a water supply. of a sewer system, Of better
| paved and cleaner streets and of the other
works upon which American administrators are
now engaged. They want these things. They
| Will appreciate them, and their enjoyment OF
| them will confirm their approval Of and adher-
ence to the compact under which they have
! been provided. If to these things add the
I +Ho he