The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-17
Minister, Jealous of His
Rights, Causes
Trouble.
COMING TO WASHINGTON
Conflict of Authority Leads
to Friction Which May
Bother President.
Who's who in Panama?

Who's who in Panama?
There have arisen serious misunder-
standings between John Barrett. the
American rainister at Panama, and the
lsthmian Canal Commission, whose
headquarters are in this city. The dis
pute relates to a question of authority.
Admiral Walker. head Of the Isthmian
Canal Commission. prefers to deal with
the questions that have arisen between
this Government and Panama in his own
way, desiring not to waste time" with
diplomacy
Minister Jonn Barrett claims that there
are number of questions bearing on
the relations between the canal zone
government and the government of the
republic Of Panama itself that should
be submitted to diplomatic adjustment.
Wh1 Is in Authority?
The pinch has come in determining
whose authority shall be uppermost I'm
settling a number Of questions which
might as readily come under Governor
Davis Jurisdiction as under that OF
Minister Barrett, representing the State
Department. A conflict of authority be-
tween the State Department and War
Department I'm the government CO the
canal zone is threatened. Minister Bar
rett obtaining his powers from the for
mer, while the Canal Commission is
more directly allied with the latter.
Coming to Washington.
The Times learns that so serious have
the differences between the Panama Of
ficials become that Minister John Bar
rett has decided himself to come tc
Washington to personally present his
to he
Just prior TO his departure for the
1srhmus as minister. Mr.. Barrett was in
conference with the President and IL
is known that he received q number OF
very definite instructions as 70 how he
was TO deal with certain matters. and
what the scope Of his authority was 10
be. 1t is assumed that in the present
stand he has taken with reference TO
the IsthmiRn Canal Commission. Minis
ter Barrett has acted In full accord with
what he believed the instructions OF the
President required.
May Sail Next Week.
The minister's present plans are to
sail from Panama at the end of next
week. which VIII place him in Washing
ton In ten days time. President Roese-
welt viii have returned TO the city by
that time. and ii is scarcely to be doubt
ed that while Minister Barrett IS lay
ing his side Of the case before the Chief
Executive the Isthmian Canal Commis-
sion VIII also take steps TO inform the
President Of what has transpired
May Patch Up Differences.
OF course. there is still the possibility
OF the differences between the two
being patched up without appeal to
the President, and the efforts Of
Secretary Hay Will be doubly exerted to
that end. but at present. both the COM
mission and Minister Barrett feel very
positive In the positions they have taken
and the friction is so great that a set
tlement will be accomplished with diff
fieultV.
Many perplexing questions affecting
this Government and the new republic
OF Panama have arisen since the taking
over Of control OF this canal strip. and
amicable relations are not so apparent
- they were at first In the DISPUTE
over the matter Of the ports Of Ancon
and Cristobal Minister Barrett IS under
stood to have advocated Diplomatic
methods In settling IL. but the com
mission went ahead and did what they
conceived 10 be right without the en-
cumbrance Of endless negotiations
Questions OF equal importance affect
ing enforcement Of laws on the borders
OF the zone are constantly arising.