The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-10-20
SENDS SECRETARY
TAFT TO ISTHNUS
President Instructs Him to
Smooth Over the Difficu.-
ties With Panama

WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 19.-The
president has instructed Secretary Of
War Taft to proceed at an early date
90 Panama to confer with the presi-
dent of that republic with view to
composing the differences that have
arisen between the two countries. The
following letter has been sent by the
president to the secretary:
BY executive order of May 9, 1904
placed under your immediate supervision
the work of the isthnian canal commits
sion. both in the construction of the canal
and in the exercise of such governmental
powers as it 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
in the execution of the rights conferred
by the treaty the people of Panama have
become unduly alarmed at the effect of
the establishment of a government in the
canal strip by the commission. Appar-
entity they fear lest the effect be to Gre
ate out of part of their territory COM
peting and Independent community which
shall injuriously affect their business, re-
duce their revenues and diminish their
prestige as a nation.
il6 OAAASO ~ dDOul u COIIST OIl
the people of the state of Panama a very
great benefit by the expenditure of mil
lions of dollars in the construction of the
canal. But this fact must not blind us
to the Importance of so exercising the
authority given us under the treaty with
Panama as to avoid creating any sus-
picion, however unfounded, of our in
tentions as to the future. We have
not the slightest intention of es-
tablishing an independent colony in
the middle of the state of Panama
or of exercising any greater governmental
functions than are necessary to enable us
conveniently and safely to construct main
tain 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 far a just construction of the
treaty might enable us to go, did the eX-
igencies of the case require, in asserting
the equivalent of sovereignty over the
canal strip, it is our full intention that
the rights which we exercise shall be ex-
ercised 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 of 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 coun-
try. 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
be obtained in respect to the conditions
existing in Panama and the attitude and
real interests of the people of that state.
After 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 a conference with the president
and other governmental authorities of the
republic Of Panama You are authorized
in doing this TO take with you such per-
sons as you desire, familiar with the con-
ditions in the isthmus, who NAV aid you
with their counsel. The earlier you are
able 10 make this visit the better You
will advise the president of the republic
what the policy of this government Is to
be and assure him that it is not the pur-
pose of the United States to take ad-
vantage of the rights conferred upon it
by the treaty to 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.