The Sauk Centre herald., 1904-10-27
HIS. mission IS
VERY important
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT ASKS
SECRETARY TAFT TO VISIT
REPUBLIC OF PANAMA.
Wishes to Explain Our Policy and to
Assure People That Undue Ad-
vantage Will Not Be Taken of Our
Treaty Rights.

Treaty Rights.
Washington, Oct 20.-The following
letter has been sent by the president
to the secretary OF war after con-
ference with the secretary of state and
the secretary of war in respect to the
conditions in Panama:
Sir: By executive order of May 9,
1904, l placed under your immediate
supervision the work of the isthmian
canal commission both in the con-
struction of the canal and in the exer-
else 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.
Natives May Be Alarmed.
There is ground for believing that
in the execution of the rights con-
ferred by the treaty the people of
Panama have been unduly alarmed at
the effect of the establishment of a
government in the canal strip by the
commission. Apparently they fear lest
the effect be to create out of part Of their
territory a competing and independ-
ent community which shall injuriously
AFFECT their business, reduce their reve-
nues and diminish their prestige as ma
tion. The United States is about to con-
fer on the peopls of the state of Panama
a very great benefit by the expenditure of
millions of dollars in the construction of
the canal.
Must Not Create Suspicion.
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 suspi-
cion however unfounded, of our inten-
| tions as to the future. We have not the
| slightest intention of establishing an in
dependent 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 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 prosper
ity of the people of Panama.
Our Intentions.
However far a just construction of
the treaty might enable us to go, did the
exigencies of the case require it, in as
| Serting the equivalent of sovereignty
over the canal strip, it is our full inten-
ton 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, if real sympathy
for both the present and future welfare
of the people of Panama is not shown.
create distrust Of the American govern
ment This would seriously interfere
with the success of our great project in
that country. 1t is of the utmost impor-
tance that those who are ultimately re-
sponsible for the policy pursued should
have at first hand as trustworthy infor
nation as can be obtained in respect to
the conditions existing in Panama and
the attitude and real interest of the peo-
pie of that state.
Asks Taft to Visit Country.
after a conference with the secretary
of state and yourself, have concluded
that it. will be of great advantage if you
can visit the Isthmus of Panama in per-
son and hold conference with the presi-
dent and other governmental authorities
Of the Republic of Panama. You are au-
-, 70 oh
such persons as you desire, familiarwith
the conditions in the isthmus, who may
aid you with their counsel. The earlier
you are able to make this visit the bet
ter.
"The secretary of state will instruct
the United States minister at Panama
to render you every assistance in his
power, and the governor of the canal
strip, Gen. Davis, will of course do the
same thing. You will advise the presi-
dent of the republic what the policy of
this government is to be, and assure him
that it is not the purpose of the United
States to take advantage of the rights con-
ferred 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 re-
turn.
Very truly yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
ITO the Secretary of War"
Gives Satisfaction.
Panama, Oct. 21.-The news from
Washington that Secretary of War Taft
is to come to the isthmus next month, ac,
companied by Minister Obaldia and Will
liam Nelson Cromwell, counsel of the
Panama Canal company, to arrange the
matters in controversy between the
United States government and Panama
and the declarations of President Roose-