New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-19
Mr.. TAFT ON THE IsTHMUS.

Sscretary Taft has been to Panama and re-
turned The cable has briefly reported the SUD-
stance of the administrative order which was
issued after conference with tho Panama au-
thorities, and which places our operations In
the canal zone on q basis satisfactory to the
Panamans The larger aspects OF the WORK done
nv Secretary Taft, however. have received little
attention. On another page this morning we
publish a review of the mission by member
of the Tribune staff who accompanied Secre-
tary Taft
In discussing the Panama arrangement 1t Is
important to note that the Secretary or war
has made no new treaty. Neither has he at
tempted TO put any gloss upon the treaty or Dy
a process of Interpretation to modify its terms.
The treaty stands In its full original force ana
effect. All that the Secretary has done is in
his capacity of administrator acting under the
Presidents designation in accordance with the
act of Congress Having seen at first hand the
situation on the isthmus, he has found reason
to modify some administrative policies based on
an a priori understanding of the governmental
problem. He has also by his frank ana con-
ciliatory spirit been able TO remove suspl-
cions as to American purposes springing partly
from measures not exactly adapted to isthmlan
conditions partly from the strangeness or our
laws and partly from the mere dlherence or
race and temperament Panama now thoroughly
maintain q canal, that our administration will
be conducted with a sincere regard for her
welfare and that her Independence and peace
will be maintained.
The most important modification of govern
mental methods made by Secretary Taft is the
abandonment Of the plan to enforce the Ameri-
can tariff between Panama and the canal
zone On investigation the Secretary concluded
that the original order was mistake. Its issu-
ance was natural enough. The zone was Tor
practical purposes brought into the American
system, and the traffic incident to building the
canal would be large and might most con-
yeniently be free. So the carrying of our ex-
ternal tariff boundary around it was the most
obvious method to facilitate this commerce.
The establishment of such a barrier between
two parts of what are the same country. and
even the same town, however, would be bur-
densome to the local inhabitants, and so for
PURPOSES of local trade the line between the
Panama territory and our leasehold is ignored.
More valuable than any adjustment Of spe-
cific questions was Secretary Tafts revelation
to Panama of the American spirit and purpose.
The ideal which he held up of "a government
that shall know no changes, except those ac-
"cording to the rules of law and the Consti-
tuition" and his admonition that the rights Of
minorities must be respected by majorities in
a free State were most salutary, and evidently
made deep impression. Panama understands
that the United States. as the guarantor OF her
independence and having a paramount interest
in peaceful isthman traffic, will not tolerate
revolutions Panama's liberties will be protect
ed and the rights Of her people scrupulously re-
spected, but they must maintain orderly civ
ilized government and settle their differences
at the ballot box. Panama understands this,
and is we'll pleased with the prospect Of prog
ress and Of rescue from the characteristic evils
| Of South American republics.