Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-10-22
PRESIDENT ORDERS
TAFT TO PANAMA
Instructed to Adjust Our Differences
With New Republic.
WILL START NEXT MONTH

WILL START NEXT MONTH
Washington. Oct 20-The following
letter has been sent by the president
to Secretary of War Taft after a con-
ference with the secretary of state
and the secretary of war. asking the
latter to visit Panama and confer with
the officials of the Isthmus. to the end
that he may give them greater assur-
ance that none of the natural rights OF
Panama will be interfered with in the
slightest degree by the United States
commission:
by executive order of May 9. 1904,
I placed under your immediate super
vision the work Of the Isthmian canal
commission. both in the construction
of the canal and In the exercise of
such governmental powers as 1t
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 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 Independent COM
munity. which shall injuriously affect
their business. reduce their revenues
int oh No.
ton.
THE United States is about to con.
fer on the people of the State of Pan
ANA a very great benefit by the expen-
diture of millions of dollars in the con-
struction 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 suspicion. however
unfounded. of our intentions as to the
future.
Eve have not the slightest intention
Of establishing an Independent colony
in the middle of the State of Panama
or of exercising any greater govern
mental 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.
cit 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 with
the geographical boundaries of the Re-
public of Panama may easily. II real
sympathy for both the present and the
future welfare of the people of Pan
anna is not shown. create distrust of
the American government
"After a conference with the secre.
tary of state and yourself. I have con-
cluded that 1t will be of great advan-
tage If you can visit the Isthmus of
Panama in person and hold a confer
ence with the president and other
governmental authorities of the Re
public of Panama"
Senior Obaldia. minister of Panama
to the United States. held a confer
ence with the secretary of state and
secretary of war after the receipt Of
this letter. and the secretary of war
invited the minister to accompany him
on his trip to Panama 1t is impossible
to say exactly when the secretary of
war can leave for Panama. but prob
ably on November a. Admiral John
Walker will go as a representative of
the canal commission. Judge Charles
Magoon. the law officer of the COM
mission and of the bureau of insular
affairs. who has been of much assist
ance in framing orders and regulations
for the canal strip. also will be of the
party. The members of the senate and
house committees dealing with 18TH
milan affairs will be invited. and as the
entire trip. ii is expected. can be made
inside of month. and little legisla-
ton is expected within the first two
weeks of the approaching session of
congress. IL is believed the committee
men will find time to make the trip.
One reason why Secretary Taft de-
sires the committees attendance Is be.
cause he feels that as they must legis.
late for the next 10 years concerning
the canal strip they will be better
qualified for this important work by
personal knowledge of conditions on