The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-12-09
PANAMA TROUBLES
\ ARE Adjusted
SECRETARY TATT's MISSION 70
NEW REPUBLIC SUCCESSFUL
ACTION rs APPROVED.
All Differences Settled-Rates Of Post
aRe-'Customs Difficulties and
Other Important Questions Have
Been Fully Strengthened Out.

Washington, Dec 5.-Secretary Taft
apparently has succeeded in adjusting
the delicate questions which took him
to Panama His report of the OUT
come of his negotiations with that
government was received by President
Roosevelt Saturday. After a careful
perusal of the report the president
gave his approval of all agreements
made. The United States has yielded
through Secretary Taft's recommen-
dations and upon approval by the
president, in regard to the customs
regulation and international postage
of the canal strip. The people OF
Panama had found themselves In
strange predicament owing to the &C.
ton of representatives of the canal
commission, who took the ground that
the Panama canal strip was to all in
tents and purposes territory Of the
United States. On the whole, the
secretary's report is declared to be
particularly liberal toward the new
republic. 1t is realized it will take q
long time to build the canal, and that
the United States will do well to. re-
tain the friendship of the people IN
the vicinity.
Agreement Signed.
Panama, Dec. 5-The differences
between the United States and Pana-
ma, which made necessary the visit OF
Secretary of War Taft to the isthmus
were settled by the issuance OF an ex-
ecutive order signed by Secretary Taft,
for President Roosevelt, and assented
to in a letter by President Amador, OF
Panama. The order provides that no
trade for the canal some or the repub-
lie of Panama can enter the ports es-
tablished by the United States at
either end of the canal, supplies for
the construction of the canal and arti-
cles in transit being excepted. This
turns the customs receipts of these
ports over to the government of Pa
nam.
Reduction in Tariff.
Panama agrees to reduce her tarid
from Is per cent. ad valorem to ten
per cent. This reduction applies to all
goods except wines, liquors alcohol
and opium. Panama also agrees to
reduce her consular fees and, port
charges to 60 per cent. of the rates at
present charged. Absolute free trade
is to apply between tie canal zone
and the. republic Of Panama. Vessels
entering the canal ports are granted
free entry to the ports Of Colon and
Panama, and vessels entering the lat
ter ports are extended the same priv
ileges in the canal ports. Complete
jurisdiction is granted the United
States in the harbors of Colon and
Panama as to sanitation and quaran-
tine regulations. Panama reduces her
rate of postage to two cents and Is to
furnish all stamps in. the republic and
in the canal zone. The zone authori-
ties are to purchase stamps from
Panama at 40 per cent. of their face
value. ~ v.
Must Adopt Gold Standard.
The order of Secretary Taft is to be
ineffective unless Panama shall put
into effect the gold standard, accord
ing to the currency agreement of
June 20, 1904. 1t also makes a stipu-
lation regarding citizenship rights to
Panamans in the canal zones The
order is made effective December, II,
1OnA