The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-10-23
Think President Should Not Wait
Until After Election to Send
Secretary of War.
NO DISTURBANCE IN CULEBRA.
Report of Gathering of Armed
Forces Is Denied by Colon
Government and by Gov
ernOr Davis.
SPECIAL BY CABLE TO THE ST. louis RE-
PUBLIC AND THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC y THE NEW YORK ERA
Panama. Oct @-CCopyright. 1sOi.e
| There is no foundation for the report that
there have been disturbances in or about
Culebra in which United States marines
were in conflict with Panamanians OF Co
1umbians. Governor Davis of the Canal
Zone has authorized a denial of the report
and the Panamanian Government declares
that investigation shows there is nothing
in the story.
1t is the general opinion among Pana-
manians. relative to the coming here of
Secretary Of War Taft. for the alleged
purpose Of smoothing over the friction be-
tween Panama and the United States. that
the American Government should show its
good intentions by having the Secretary
visit Panama right away, instead Of wait
ing until after the elections, which may
considerably alter the circumstances.
COLLECTION OF TARIFFS.
Otherwise. it is declared in Official cir
cles. the administration should at once
cable instructions to Governor Davis of
the canal zone to suspend or hold in abey-
ance all further proceedings in collecting
or levying tariff duties and asserting
American jurisdiction over the fictitious
ports of Ancon and Cristobal.
PaRamanians declare that anyone hay-
ing knowledge Of the topography of the
isthmus must regard as absurd the scheme
Of the United States holding a port with
in the city Of Panama under Panamanian
jurisdiction. Both ports are within Pans-
ma and only about one mile from each
ofhcr It ;S fal& h.-1 It,.
belong either to Panama or to the United
States and that It is a material impos-
sibility for dual jurisdiction to be main
tanned in them.
The collection of import duties. taxa
ton and recognition of isthmian rights
and sovereignty. according to the terms OF
the treaty. are the main points at issue.
on which all future negotiations must be
based Secretary of Wal Taft, Panamani-
ans say. must be clearly instructed on
these points. il there is to be any practi-
call successful results from his coming
visit.
BARRETT TO RETURN.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Washington. Oct 1T is most evident
that President Roosevelt thoroughly in
dorses the conduct of Minister Barrett in
despite the doubts cast upon his
negotiations by Mr.. Obaldia, Minister of 2
Panama at Washington.
President Roosevelt to-day gave person.
al directions to Mr.. Barrett to return to.
Panama on November 10 to make prepare
ions fo- the visit there of Secretary Taft
week later.
The regular steamer from New York
will delay a day SO that Mr.. Barrett may
know the result Of the election Upon ar
rival in Panam he VIII deliver n mes
sage from President Roosevelt to Presi-
lent Amador. stating that he is sending
Taft 20 the isthmus to ac-
quaint himself with all the peculiarities
Of the situation. in order that from the
highest to the lowest official connected
With the work of canal digging there may
De an appreciation of the mutual interests
If America and Panama