The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-03-31
panama TANGLE
n MUST Be SOLVED
UNITED STATES WILL PROCEED
WITH CANAL REGARDLESS
OF LITIGATION.
France Is Told That Government Will
Not Submit to Any Extortion by
the Old Company - Letter from
President Roosevelt.

Washington, March 23.-Although the
litigation in Paris over the transfer of
the Panama canal property to the Unit
ed States is considered worthy Of the
dispatch thither of w. A. Day, assistant
to the attorney general. and G. w. Rus
sell, special assistant attorney, this gov
eminent will not permit a legal tangle
to interfere with the shoveling of dirt on
the isthmus.
The first meeting of the Panama COM
mission was held here, and it became
known diplomatic correspondence had
been held with France on the subject.
Informed of Situation.
This communication was made the
occasion to inform France that the Unit
ed States now having possession Of the
canal strip will not allow litigation to
interfere with the construction of the
waterway and that progress in that di-
rection would be made regardless of the
complications in Paris. A response has
been received from France in an ex-
preston of appreciation of this govern
ment's position. The French govern
ment expresses willingness to assistin
removing the legal obstacles.
Will Not Be Held Up.
This government will submit to nc
shrewd game to make it pay more than
$4,000, 900 for the French Canal COM
pany's property. That sum is waiting
distribution to the proper parties, but
the United States will not wait to dig
the canal until the disputants determine
who shall receive the money. Mr.. Day
will look after the transfer of shares of
stock in Paris and Mr.. Russell will de-
vote his attention to seeing that the
votes Of the stockholders are legally re-
corded. The president has decided the
expenditures of the canal commission
shall be disbursed through the war de-
partment. The legislation under which
the commission will make it's expendi-
lures is extremely liberal, no limit being
set for some of them.
Letter from President.
President Roosevelt entertained the
members of the isthmian canal COM
mission and Secretary of War Taft at,
luncheon yesterday. During the lunch
con there was general discussion of
the duties of the commission and the
general scope of the work. In course
Of the discussion a letter written by the
president March was read. 1t was in
the nature of instructions to the COM
mission. After reference to the Inn
portance of the work, the president in
the letter declared he had selected the
members of the commission because of
their ability and standing, but if at any
time they neglected to serve with fidel-
ity and efficiency he would feel at liberty
to remove them. The president also
urged the commission to disregard any
and all influences that may be brought
to bear on them in the selection of their
assistants. The letter closes as follows:
Results Must Be Achieved.
'"The plans are to be carefully made
with view to the needs not only of the
moment but of the future. The expend-
lures are to be supervised as vigorously
as If they were being made for pri-
vate corporation dependent for its profits
upon the returns. You are to secure the
best talent this country affords to meet
the conditions created by every neetlA
which may arise. The methods for
achieving the results must be yours.
What this nation will insist upon is that
the results be achieved"