New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-20
TAFT GOING TO PANAMA.
SENT BY THE PRESIDENT.
viii assure Panamaus That Their
Rights Arc IN No Danger.
IFRoM rHE TRIBUNE BURE4u.l

ereignty over the canal strip, IL IS our Full nss1-
tion that the rights which we exercise shall be
exercised with all proper care for the honor ard
interests Of the people Of Panama. a."-Tneodors
Roosevelt.
This is the policy OF the United States i'm its
relations with Panama as outlined by the Presi-
dent. and to carry il into effect William r. TAFT.
the Secretary Of War will go 20 the isthmus a.
soon as possible. by order Of the President 10
assure members of the Panamau government OF
the high purposes or the United States. and 20
arrange to the mutual satisfaction of the United
States and the republic OF Panama every detail
of the administration of the canal zone.
While no fear has ever existed that those de-
tails of administration which have caused appre-
hensiou on the part of the officials Of Panama
could not be explained adjusted to the mutual
satisfaction OF both nations. it is believed that
such explanation adjustment can he most ex-
peditiously and conveniently effected by means
Of a personal conference between a member OF
the Cabinet in whom the President can Teposs
entire confidence and the President and other
officials of Panama. a conference conducted on
the tsthmus where accurate information on every
point is accessible
THE PRESIDENTS INSTRUCTIONS.
The Presidents letter OF instruction is as foi-
lows;
White House. washington. October IS 1904
Sir; BY executive order OF May 9, 190t.
placed under your immediate supervision the
work of the Isthmian Canal Commission, both I'm
the construction Of the canal and I'm the exercise
of such governmental powers as IL seemed nee
essary for the United States 10 exercise under
the treaty with the Republic of Panama in the
canal strip. There is ground for believing that
in the execution OF the rights conferred by the
treaty the people of Panama have been unduy
alarmed at the effect or tue establishments or q
government I'm the canal strip by the cOn1mis>
sion Apparently they fear lest the effect he TO
create out or part of their territory competing
and independent community which shall iniurt-
OUsly affect their business, reduce their revenues
and diminish their prestige as nation
The United States is about TO confer the
people Of the State OF Panama a very great
benefit by the expenditure OF millions of dollars
I'm the construction of the canal But this fact
must not blind US to the Importance OF so eNer-
cising the authority given us under the treaty
with Panama as to avoid creating any suspicion
however unfounded Of our intentions to the
future.
We have not the slightest intention Of estab-
fishing an Independent colony in the middle Of
the State of Panama or Of exercising any great
er governmental functions than are necessary to
enable US conveniently and safely 70 construct
maintain and operate the canal, under the rights
given us by the treaty Least Of all do we de
sire 10 interfere with the business and prosperitv
OF the people of Panama. However far lust
construction of the treaty might ena Bile us to 90
did the exigenctes of the case REQUIRE il in as
serting the equivalent of sovereignty over the
canal strip, it is fun intention that the rights
which we exercise shall he exercised with al
proper care for the honor and interests Or the
people Of Panama
The exercise OF such powers as are given US
daries of the Republic OF Panama may easily ff
real sympathy for both the present and future
WeiIare or the people OF Panama is NOT shown.
create ulSlrust or the American government
This would seriously interfere with the success
OF our great project in that country 1t is of the
utmost Importance that those who are ultimately
responsible for the policy pursued should have
at first hand as trustworthy information as can
De ootalned IN respect 20 the conditions existing
I'm Panama and the attitude and real interest ~
the people of that state
After a conference with the Secretary Of state
i mar will Ia
great advantage If YOU can visit the Isthnlus ~
Panama i'm person and hold q couferencA with
the President and other governmental authorI-
ties of the Republic of Panama. You are author
ized in doing this to take with YOU sucn per-
sons as YOU desire. familiar with the conditions
III the lsInmus. Who may aid you with their
counsel The earlier you able to make this
visit the better. The Secretary Of State win in
struct the United states Minister at Panama 70
| render YOU every assistance in hts power and
the Governor of the canal strip. General Davis.
viii, of course, do the same thing.
You viii advise the President OF the republic
what the policy Of this government Is to he ard
assure him that il is not the purpose Of the
United States to take advantage Of the rights
conferred upon il by the treaty to Interfere with
the welfare and prosperity Of the State of pan
anna Of the cities Of Colon and Panama You
will make due report OF the result of your visit
| on your return. Very truly yours
To the Secretary OF War
A LARGE PARTY GOING.
While definite arrangements have nor vet
been made for Secretary Taft's trip. II is bis
purpose % 20 to Panama on the army trans
port Sumner from Neu--Yorl5. 1t was thought
at first that the Dolphin would serve the pur-
pose. but che ship not only is under repairs but
IS regarded too small to accommodate the
Secretary's party. Secretary Taft is authorized
by the President to take with him any persons
he pIeases I'm correction with the work on hand
and. while the personnel Of the party has not
vet been arranged it is certain 10 be a large
one. Representing Panama viii be Minister
ObaIdia; Rear Admiral John G.. Walker viii 60
as a representative OF the Canal Commission:
Judge Charles Z. Magoou. the law officer Of
the commission and OF the Bureau OF Ins,Ilar
Affairs who has been Of great assistance in
framing orders and regulations FOR the canal
strip. also viii be Of the party. The members
OF the Senate end House committees dealing
with isthmian canal affairs Will be invited and
as il is expected that the trip be made in
side OF a month. and little legislation is likely
in the first two weeks of the coming session OF
Congress. IL ts believed that the committeeman
viii find time TO make the trip. One reason
why Secretary Taft desires the committees at
tendance is because he feels that as they nust
Iegisiate for the next ten years concerning the
canal strip, they win be better qualified for this
important work by a personal knowledge Of con-
ditiOns on the isthmus.
The Secretary's reason for taking 50 large a
party. including representatives OF the execu-
tive and legislative branches OF the government.
is because he desires 10 do ali honor to the state
OF Panama. showing the people that the United
States government has as high "a regard for their
rights as for those OF any other people. The
American Minister to Panama. being instructed
by the President IN his letter Co give Secretary
Taft all possible facilities in the prosecution OF
the work Is expected to precsde the party on