The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-12-02
PRESIDENT AMADOR
EXPLAINS TROUBLE
Tariff
.Divy
z.

and the assumed position of the
United States in the zone has caused
friction. Panama foresees that her
revenues will be depleted seriously
by the establishment in the zone Of
an absolute sovereignty. The col
lection of taxes, Dingley tariff duties
and all government revenues in the
canal strip by the United States, to
say nothing of refusal to recognize
such concessions as the lottery, would
most certainly reduce Panama's rev.
enues to point impossible.
There are endorsements of author
ity. as we understand the program of
the canal commission to be, which
would work great harm to us, but l
will speak only of the lottery and the
Dingley tariff tax.
"The sale of lottery tickets which
President Roosevelt ordered suspend
ed in the zone, and for violation of
which arrests were made by the zone
police, is an old established custom in
Panama The concession to conduct
the lottery was sold to Gabriel Duque
and his company and the contract
will not expire for II years. Irres-
pective of the right or wrong in this
form of gambling l may say that it
is a part of Panama life and custom.
Eight per cent of the total sale
price of tickets goes into the govern
ment funds and some "a per cent of
the money is realized by the people
in prizes drawn and commissions for
sale of chances. The government
conducts the drawings. We cannot
understand how this lottery will af-
feet the canal project.
"If our merchants are to be taxed
for all goods imported into the zone
there will be serious losses to them.
They are compelled to pay Panaman
port taxes and if they wish to sell
these goods in the zone, should the
Dingley rates be enforced. they would
be forced to pay second tax.
80 far as l am aware. the United
States agents here have not collected
any port or import duties in the zone
from Panaman territory to date. They
do collect land taxes and sell postage
stamps which are about ~ cent
cheaper than ours. A 2-cent stamp
carries a letter to any part of the
United States, while a 3-cent Pana-
man stamp is required for the same
purpose.
ahead. Six million of the 100000
600 we received from the United
States under the treaty has been in
vested in New York real estate and
brings us revenue. Our first year
of national life has been expensive,
but there is a balance of the remain
ing 100000 in our treasury. We
want to establish schools for our
children and employ competent in
structors in Spanish and English.
This amounts to popular demand.
Even the Indians want to send their
children into the villages to public
schools.
But while there are many perplex-
ing questions. l have no doubt about
the result. l believe in Americas
honesty of purpose and l might give
you one reason therefor. and upon
which l rely for an amicable adjust
ment. After the treaty had been
signed few hours l arrived in WASH
ington. In a conversation with Sec
rotary Hay. with whom. beside the
president, l had all my dealings, he
said to me: We cannot tell what the
future will bring forth in Panama.
But l want you to understand that on
all questions in dispute or differences
of Interpretation of the treaty's
terms, the United States government
will meet Panama half way fairly
80 you see,' said the grizzled old
chief executive, Il have no fear that
all will not he settled satisfactorily
and in good time"