The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-21

With the Progress and Welfare OF
that Republic.
Washington. October 19.-The Pres
ident has instructed Secretary of War
Taft to proceed, at an early date, 20
Panama to confer with the president.
Of that Republic with a view to COM
posing the differences that have arIsei,
between the two countries. The instruc-
tions are contained in the following le,-
ter:
white House,
washington, d. c., Oct. 19, 1904.
Sir: BY executive order of May 9,
1904. l placed under your immediate
superivion the work of the isthman
canal commission, both in the con-
struction of the canal and in the>exer-
else of such governmental powers as
it seemed necessary for the United
States to exercise under the treaty with
the Republic of Panama in the cana,
strip. There is ground for believing
ferred by the treaty the people of Pam
| anna have been unduly alarmed at the
effect of the establishment of a gov
| ernment in the canal strip by the COM
mission. Apparently they fear lest the
| effect be to create, out of part of theic
territory, a competing and Independent
L cl, int, ,,cI1 a.
| feet their business. reduce their reve
| nues and diminish their prestige as a
| nation. The United States is about to
| confer on the people of the state of
| Panama very great benefit by the
| expenditure of millions of dollars in the
| construction of the canal. But TINS
| fact must not blind US to the
Importance of SO exercising the author
| ity given us under the treatry with
| Panama as to avoid creating any sus-
| piston. however. unfounded. of our IN
tentions as to the future. We have not
| the slightest intention of establishing
an Independent colony in the middle Or
| the state of Panama or of exercising
| any greater governmental functions
| than are necessary to enable us con-
venientlv and safely to construct, MAIN
| tain and operate the canal under tre
| rights given us by the treaty. Least
| Of all do we desire to interfere with
the business and prosperity Of the peo-
| pie of Panama. However far a just
| construction Of the treaty might enable
| us to go, did the exigencies of the case
require it, in asserting the equivalent
| of sovereignty over the canal strip, it
| is our full intention that the rights
| which we exercise shall be eXerciSeu
| 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 a real sympathy for both
| the present and future welfare or the
people of Panama is not shown. create
| distrust of the American government.
| This would seriously interfere, with the
| success of our great project in that
| country.
1T is Of the utmost Importance tha.
| 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
conditions existing in Panama and the
attitude and real interest of the people
Of that state. After a 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 person and hold confer
ence with the president and other gov
ernmental authorities of the Republic
of Panama. You are authorized in
ldoing this to take with you such persons
as you desire, familiar with the condi
tions 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 instruc.
the United States minister at Panama
to render you every assistance in his
power, and the governor of. the canal
strip, General Davis, will of course, DO
the same thing. You will advise the
president of the Republic what the poi
icy of this government is to be, and
assure him that it is not the purpose
of the United states to take advantage
of the rights conferred upon it by
the treaty ii interfere with the welfare
and prosperity of the state of Panama.
or of the cities of Colon and Panama.
: You will make due report of the result
of your visit on your return.
VERY truly yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
ITO the Secretary of War
Senior Obaldia, minister of Panama
to the United States, held a conference
with the secretary of state and secre-
tary of war subsequent to the receipt
of this letter and the secretary Of war
invited the minister to accompany him
on his trip to Panama. 1t is impossible
to say exactly when the secretary of
war can leave for Panama, but proba-
bly, on November I4th