The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-20
Wee Panama Distrusts,
Barks With Alright.
BE QUIET, SAYS TEDDY
Taft. Go Outside and Tell That Flee
We DOntiWant Part Of Its Kennel.
Wow, Thinks Panama, Didn't
He Take Me From
Colombia.
(Ry the Associated Press. }


Washington Oct 19.-'rhe President
has instructed Secretary OF War Taft
- proceed. at an early date. to Pana-
ma to confer with the president Of that
republic With u view TO composing the
differences that nave arisen between
the two countries. The instructions
are contained ia the following let
ter:
white House Washington, Oct. Is.
''Sir: BY executive order of Man ,.
1904, I placed under your Immediate
supervision the work of the Isthmian
Canal Commission both i'm the con-
structiou of the canal and I'm the eN~
ercse 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. There is ground for believing
that I'm the execution of the rights
conferred by the treaty the people of
Panama have been unduly alarmed al
the effect Of the establishment of a
| government i'm the canal strip by the
commission Apparently they fear lest
| the effect be TO create out Of part Of
| their territory a competing and inde-
pendent community which shall insur-
! iously affect their business. reduce
| their revenues and diminish their pres
/ tige as a nation The United States
| is about to confer on the people Of the
| state OF Panama a very great benefit
/ by the expenditure of millions of dol
/ lars nithe construction of the canal.
| But this fact must not blind us 10 the
| importance OF SO exercising the author
! ity given us under the treaty With Pan
ANA as TO avoid creating any suspic-
] ion, however unfounded, of our inten-
! tions as to the future. We have not
- "a.
/ au independent colony in the middle
Of the state OF Panama or of excrcis-
| ing any greater govcrnemntal func-
| tionS 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 prosperity of the
people of Panama. However, for "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 ca
nal strip. il is our full intention 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. II
Il real sympathy for both the present
and future welfare of the people OF
Panama is not shown. create distrust
of the American government This
would seriously interfere with the sue
cess of our great object I'm that coun-
try. 1t Is Of the utmost importance
that those who are ultimately respon-
slble for the policy pursued should
nave at first hand az trustworthy In
formation as can be obtained Ia re-
spect to the conditions existing I'm Pam
anna and the attitude and real interest
OF the people OF that state. After a
conference with the Secretary end
yourself I have concluded that It
would be Of a great advantage If you
can visit the Isthmus of Panama In
person and hold a conference with the
president and other governmental au-
thorities of the Republic of Panama.
on are authorized i'm doing this TO take
with you such persons as you desire
familiar with the conditions IN the
isthmuYs. who may aid you with their
| counsel. The earlier you are able to
make this visit the better. The Sec
rotary Will instruct 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 policy OF this
EONefnmenI ~ 10 De, anu assure HiHi
| that 1t is not the purpose Of the United
! States to take advantage of the rights
conferred upon IL by the treaty to in
/ terfere with the welfare and prosper
| ity 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"
Senor Obaldia. Minister Of Panama
to the United States held a conference
with the Secretary Of War subsequent
to the receipt OF this letter s.ld the
Secretary of War invited the minister
% accompany him on his trip TO Pam
anna. II Is impossible 90 say exactly
when the Secretary or War can leave
for Panama but probably on Novem-
Der 4.