New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1904-10-26
HIS mission is
VERY IMPORTANT

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT ASKS
SECRETARY TAFT TO VISIT
REPUBLIC OF PANAMA.
Wishes to Explain Our Policy and to
Assure People That Undue Adj
vantage Will Not Be Taken Of Our
Treaty Rights.
Washington, Oct 2O.-The following
letter has been sent by the president
to the secretary of war after a con-
ference with the secretary of state and
the secretary of war in respect to the
conditions in Panama:
Sir: By executive order of May 9,
1904, I placed under your immediate
/ supervision the work of the isthmian
/ canal commission both in the con-
struction of the canal and in the exer-
else of such governmental powers as
1t seemed necessary for the United States
| to exercise under the treaty with
! the Republic Of Panama in the canal
strip.
Natives May Be Alarmed.
There is ground for believing that
in the execution of the rights con-
ferred by the treaty the people OF
Panama have been unduly alarmed at
the effect of the establishment Of a
government in the canal strip by the
commission. Apparently they fear lest
| the effect be to create out of part of their
territory a competing and independ-
ent community which shall injuriously
affect their business, reduce their reve-
nues and diminish their prestige as ma
| ton. The United States is about to con-
fer on the people of the state of Panama
very great benefit by the expenditure Of
millions of dollars in the construction Of
the canal
Must Not Create Suspicion.
'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 suspi-
cion, however unfounded, of our inten-
lions as to the future. We have not the
| slightest intention of esta blishing an in
| dependent colony in the middle of the
| state OF Panama, or of exercising any
| greater governmental functions than are
necessary to enable us conveniently and
safely to construct, maintain and operate
the canal, under the rights given us by
| the treaty. Least of all do we desire to
| interfere with the business and prosper
| Tty of the people of Panama.
Our Tntentions.
However far just construction of
the treaty might enable us to go, did the
exigencies of the case require it, in as
sorting the equivalent of sovereignty
over the canal strip, it is our full inten-
tlor that the rights which we exercise
shall be exercised with all proper care
for the honor and interests of the people
of Panama. The exercise of such powers
as are given us by the treaty within the
/ geographical boundaries of the Republic
of Panama may easily if real sympathy
for both the present and future welfare
| Of the people of Panama is not shown,
create distrust of the American govern
ment. This would seriously interfere
that country. 1t is of the utmost impor-
lance that those who are ultimately re-
sponslble for the policy pursued should
have at first hand as trustworthy infor-
nation as can be obtained in respect to
the conditions existing in Panama and
the attitude and real interest of the peo-
pie of that state.
Asks Taft to Visit Country.
s'After conference with the secretary
of state and yourself, I have concluded
that it will be of great advantage if you
can visit the Isthmus of Panama in per-
son and hold a conference with the presi-
dent and other governmen authorities
Of the Republic of Panama. You are au-
shorized in dong this to take with you
such persons as you desire, familiar witt
the conditions in the isthmus who may
aid you with their counsel. The earlier
you are able to make this visit the bet.
ter.
EsThe secretary of state will instruc1
the United States minister at Panama
to render you every assistance in his
power, and the governor of the cana
strip, Gen. Davis, will of course do thu
same thing. You will advise the presi
dent of the republic what the policy O
this government is to be, and assure hin
that it is not the purpose of the Unitee
+ States to take advantage of the rights con
ferred upon it by the treaty to interfer
: with the welfare and prosperity of tn
o state of Panama, or of the cities of Colo
and Panama. You will make due repor
, Of the result of your visit on your re
a turn.
a every truly yours,
v THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
S ''To the Secretary of War;
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