The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-14
Talks Freely to Advertiser l Man.
ALL SERENE ON THE ZONE
Will Be No More Early Morn
 ing Revolutions.
Head of War Department Considers His Diplomatic Work on Isth- mus We'll Done-Rcturn-
 ing to Washington.
By viii T. sheehan.

By Will T. sheehan.
 There will be no more early mornins 6 revolutions, no more fy-by-night gov ernments on the Isthmus of Panama. There win be no marching. counter marching and bluffing by rival armies Of barefoot and ragged negroes. Span iards and natives led by soldiers of fortune, and no more dictators leaving for Paris between suns with the coun- try's treasury locked up in a portable iron box.
 There will be peace and quiet on the Isthmus. Good order must and shall be preserved on the Isthmus while the United States, or rather as they have come to be known in these days, Amer lea. while America is building the Panama Canal America has SD de- creed it. America has put her hands to the blow and she will not turn back. Nor will she be annoyed by the noise and bickerings of cheap revolutions ists.
 They can overthrow a government down on the Isthmus. but they must do 1t in American style-at the bal lot box. The people can vote gov ernment out of power, but they cannot run It out of the country with bayon- cts.
 All is serene in Panama. Panama has gotten over its bout with the United States, or rather America, and she loves her big godmother as we'll as she ever did. The differences be- tween the two governments have been smoothed over. the friendship cement ed anew, and the malcontents who were fomenting the trouble have been snubbed and sat upon.
 This Is authoritative. I got 1t from the lips of William H. Taft, Secretary of War and envoy to Panama, with ex- traordinary powers, the man who brought 1t all about. He bore to Pan- anna message of the United States Government, message of generosity to the Government of Panama, but a message which left no room for misun- derstanding.
 The message was final and complete answer to the malcontents who were stirring up trouble with the charge that America was out to grab land and rob the people of Panama of their lib- erty. The message of America was in brief, The only thing We want in Pan- anna is canal across the Isthmus. You can take whatever privilege or perquis- ite you want. We are only going to dig the canal and control 1t after 1t is dug. But we are going to have peace and good order on the Isthmus while we are digging it."
 The scope of his mission. the rela- tions of the Panamian and American Government, the status of the construc- ton work on the big ditch were dis cussed with frankness and freedom by Secretary Taft This man, who went to another government from America clothed with extraordinary powers, Is not of the Talleyrand school of diplo- mats who hold to the theory, that words are made to conceal thoughts, There is naught of the Hindu, his secretiveness and his subtlety about the War Secretary. His diplomacy is the straight from the shoulder kind, and no blows below the belt count.
 rode with this strong, interesting man yesterday afternoon from Floma- ton to Montgomery. He and his party landed at Pensacola yesterday morn ing from the United States cruiser Columbia. The cruiser had been plac- ed at the disposal of the Secretary of War by the government for his errand to Panama, an errand of vital import ance to both governments. At Pen- sacola the party was entertained for two hours after which the members boarded special train and were hur- ried to Flomaton where connection was made with the north bound Louisville and Nashville train which reaches Montgomery at 6:20 o'clock p. m. And from here they went over the Western to Atlanta.
 The Secretary of War was hurrying g to Washington to report to the Presi- dent of the United States. ' He had been sent with a mission to accom- plish and a task to do. The duty had been performed, the work had been done. AS l sat and talked to him. noted that the Secretary of War was happy and at peace with the world and himself. The brown cotton fields and the autumn swamps of Butler County flew by us as we sat and talk ed. The train was rushing on and on to Washington. The Secretary of War smiled a satisfied smile. as If his work had met his own appreciation and as if he knew 1t would meet the ap- probation of the President of the United States and members of this cabinet.
 "Eumesess Porter Naughty.
 From Flomaton to Washington 'ths party of the Secretary of War was making the trip in the Pullman cal Eumeses. which was set apart ex- clsively for their use. negro took my card at the door or the EumeSes He was quite naughty person. All in al he bore himself with more dignity anC hauteur than any member of the par ty. I felt rather depressed by the sighting way in which he glanced al the piece of pasteboard I sent into the Secretary.
 did not quite regain my ease and peace of mind until the Secretary oi War came forth from his state room and grasped my hand heartily an6 Democratically. He Is a magnetic and approachable man this Secretary Tafi and he can give some of the best poll ticIans of Alabama points in the deli cate art of handshaking.
 He Is a big, strong. vital, man ,ont of these men who feel thet keen zes in life and who show it. He is no oppressed by dignity. nor overcome and harried by his great responsibili- ties. He Is tall man well above sis feet with immense broad shoulders He is bulky man weighing upwards ol 300 pounds but he carries the weigh with ease and grace. The War Secre' tory wears a long blonde moustache not unlike that of Governor William D, Jelks. His skin is as freash ana rosy as healthy baby's. The blond, hair upon his head is long and silky but it Is getting a trifle thin.
 One is instantly impressed with hii wholesomeness, his strength and hii boise. qualities which in a measure explains his remarkable career. the a newspaper reporter and who was ( tAA As,G hA -