The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-19
co To PANAMA.
President RoOsevelt Writes Let
ter to Secretary Taft
Telling Him to Go Down, and
Look Over the Situation.
THERE is FRICTION.
The Natives Don't Like Our
Way Of Doing Things.
President Says There Is No In
tentiOn of Harming Them.

Washington, Oct 19.-The president
has instructed Secretary of War Taft
| to proceed, at an early date,to Panama
to confer with the president of that re-
public with a view to composing the
differences that have arisen between
| the two countries.
The following letter has been sent by
| the president to the secretary of war
| after a conference with the secretary
| of state and the secretary of war in
respect to the conditions in Panama.:
White House, Washington, October Is,
1904.
"Sir:-By executive order of May o.,
1904. 1 placed under your immediate
supervision the work of the isthmiau
| canal commission, both in the construc-
ton of the canal and the exercise of
| such governmental powers as it SEEM
ed necessary for the UniteG-States TO
| exercise under the treaty with the re-
| public of Panama in the canal strip.
| There is ground for believing in the
execution of the rights now conferred
| by the treaty the people OF Panama
| nave been unduly alarmed at the erect
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 commun-
ity which shall injuriousTy affect tnelf
business, reduce their revenues and dl-
minish their prestige as a nation
The United States is about to con-
fer on the people of the state OF rama
ma a very great benefit by the expenol-
ture of millions Of dollars in the con-
struction of the canal. But TINS ract
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.
1--WE have not the slightest inten-
ton of establishing an Independent
colony in the middle of the state OF
Panama or of exercising any greater
governmental functions than are nee
essary to enable us conveniently ana
safely to construct, maintain and OPP
crate 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 Pan
anna 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 ana inter-
ests of the people of Panama.
1.-THE exercise of such powers as
are given us by the treaty within the
geographical boundaries of the repub-
lie of Panama may easily If q real
sympathy for both the present and fu-
is not shown, create distrust of the
American government This would
seriously interfere with the success
of our great project in that country.
1t is of the utmost importance that |
those who are ultimately responsible |
for the policy pursued should have at |
first hand as trustworthy information |
as can be obtained in respect to the |
conditions existing in Panama and the 1
attitude and real interest of the peo- |
pie of that state. After a conference |
with the secretary of state and your
self / 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 |
the republic of Panama.
You are authorized in doing this to
take with you such persons as you desire, |
familiar with the conditions in the 18TH |
sci. 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 assist
ance in his power and the governor of
the canal strip, General Davis, will, OF
course, do the same thing. You will adAt
the policy of this government is to he,
and assure him that it is not the purpose |
of the United States to take advantage
of the powers conferred upon 1T by the
prosperity of the state of Panama or of
the cities of Colon and Panama. You will
make due report of the result of your
''''' o'' YOU T lHiiEGo6HD5oRE RooSEVELT.
ITO the Secretary of War
Senior Obaldia, minister of Panama to |
the United States, held a conference with
the secretary of state and secretary of
war subsequent to the receipt of this let
ter and the secretary of war invited the
minister to accompany him on his trip to |
when the secretary of leave for |
Panama, but probably on November IA.