The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-10-22
SECRETARY TAFT -
TO CALM panama
PRESIDENT REQUESTS HIM TO
VISIT REPUBLIC AND CON-
FER WITH AUTHORITIES.
WILL INFORM THEM AS
TO OUR INTENTIONS
No Advantage to Be Taken by Our
Government of Rights Conferred
by Treaty to Interfere with We'll
fare and Prosperity Of Country.

|
Washington, Oct. 2O.-The following
letter has been sent by the president
TO the secretary OF war after a con-
ference With the secretary Of state and
the secretary Of war in respect to the
conditions in Panama:
From White House, Washington,
Oct. is, 1904
| Sir: BY executive order of May 8.
! 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 eNer-
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
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 indie
| pendent community which shall in
| juriously affect their business, reduce
| their revenues and diminish their
| prestige as a nation. The United States
| is about to confer on the people of the
! state OF Panama a very great benefit
! by the expenditure of millions of dol
| lars 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
| suspicion, however unfounded, Of our
| intentions as to the future. We have
not the slightest intention of establish
ing an independent colony in the mid
die of the state of Panama, or of en-
ercising any greater governmental
| functions than are necessary to en-
able 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 in
1
ity Of the people of Panama.
Our Intentions,
| However far Il 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 exer-
| else Of such powers as are given us
by the treaty within the geographical
boundaries of the Republic of Panama
may easily, if a real sympathy for
both the present and future welfare of
the people of Panama is not shown,
! create distrust of the American gov
eminent. This would seriously inter-
| fere with the success of our great
project in that country. 1t is of
the utmost Importance that those who
are ultimately responsible for the pol
icy pursued should have at first hand
as trustworthy information as can be
! obtained in respect to the conditions
! existing in Panama and the attitude
and real interest of the people Of that
state.
Asks Taft to Visit Country.
after conference with the score
tary of state and yourself, J. have con-
cluded that 1t will be of great advan-
tage If you can visit the Isthmus of
Panama in person and hold confer.
ence with the president and other
! governmental authorities of the Re-
public of Panama. You are author
, lied in doing this to take with you
such persons as you desire familiar
with the conditions in the isthmus who
may aid you with their counsel. The
earlier you are able to make this visit
the better.
"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
president Of the republic what the pol
icy of this government is to be, and
assure him that 1t 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 report Of the re-
suit of your visit on your return.
Every truly yours
"THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
ITO the Secretary of War;"
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 Sec
rotary OF war can leave for Panama,
but probably on November H.
King to Entertain Americans.
| London, Oct 20.-King Edward Thurs
day will receive the officers of the Ameri-