Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-10-27
TO QUIET FEARS IN PANAMA,
SECRETARY TAFTiS ORDERED TO
GO TO THE ISTHMUS.
The Secretary of War Has Been Dele
gated to Assure the Panama Gov
ernment of the Good lnten-
tions OF the United States.

Washington, Oct. 20.-The follow
ing letter has been sent by the presi-
dent to the secretary of war after
conference with the secretary of state
and the secretary of war in respect to
the conditions in Panama:
"Sir-By executive order Of May .,
1904, | placed under your immediate
supervision the work of the isthmian
canal commission, both in the con-
struction of the canal and in the ex-
ercise 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. There is ground for be-
lieving that in the execution of the
rights conferred by the treaty the
people of Panama have been unduly
alarmed at the effect of the establish
ment 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 com
peting and Independent community
which shall injuriously affect their
business, reduce their revenues and
diminish their prestige as a nation.
"The United States is about to con-
{ 1
ANA 3 very great benefit by the eX-
pendture of millions of dollars in the
construction of the canal. But this
fact must not blind us to the impor-
tance of so exercising the authority
given us under the treaty with Pan
anna as to avoid creating any sus-
piciOn, however unfounded, of our in
tentions as to the future. We have
~ h., ~ 4,T,
fishing an independent colony in the
middle of the state of Panama, or of
exercising any greater governmental
functions than are necessary to en-
able us 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 prosperity of the people
of Panama.
However far a just construction of
the treaty might enable Us to go, did
the eXigencies of the case require it,
in asserting the equivalent of SOW
ereignty over the canal strip, it is
our full intention 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 geo.
graphical boundaries of the republic
of Panama may easily, if a real sym
pathy for both the present and future
welfare of the people of Panama is
not shown, create distrust Of the
American government.
81 have concluded that it will be of
great advantage if you can visit the
isthmus of Panama in person and
hold a conference with the president
and other governmental authorities of
the republic of Panama. You are au-
thOri2Gd in doing this to take with
you such persons as you desire, ia
miliar with the conditions in the 18TH
mus, who may aid you with their
counsel The earlier you are able to
make this visit the better You will
advise the president 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 conferred
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 re-
port of the result of your visit on your
return. Very truly yours,
"THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Senior Obaldia, minister of Panama
TO the United States, held a confer
ence with the secretary of state and
secretary of war subsequent to the re
ceipt of this letter, and the secretary
of war invited the minister to accom-
pany him on his trip to Panama. 1t
is impossible to say exactly when the
secretary of war can leave for Pan
ANA, but probably on November II.
Judge Magoon, the law officer Of
the canal commission and of the
bureau of inSular affairs, who has
been of much assistance in framing
regulations for the canal strip, also
will be of the party. The members of
the senate and house committees
dealing with isthmian affairs will be
invited