The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-20
SECRETARY OF WAR
GOES TO PANAMA
LEAVES AFTER ELECTION.
PEOPLE OF IsTHMUs SEEM TO BE
UNDULY ALARMED.

This Government Has no Intention
of Establishing Independent Col
Ony, Says President i'm Letter 10
Taft-Such Action Would Create
DiStrust for American Govern
ment-Secretary of War VIII Hold
Conferences.
Washington. Oct. 10. The President
has instructed Secretary of War Taft
to proceed, at an early date, to Pan
anna to confer with the president of
that republic with a view to compos-
ing the differences arising between the
two countries.
The instructions are contained I'm the
following letter:
white House, Washington. Oct. 1S.
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 ex-
ercise Of such powers as it seemed
necessary for the United States to ex-
ercise under the treaty with Panama
with respect to the canal strip.
People Unduly Alarmed.
There is good foundation for be-
lieving that in the execution OF the
rights conferred by the treaty, the peo-
pie of Panama have been unduly alarm
ed at the effect of the establishment
of a government in the canal strip by
the commission. Apparently they fear
"a aff ha n n nut nf art
of their territory a competing and in
dependent community which shall in
juriously affect their business, reduce
their revenues and diminish their
prestige as a nation.
1.-THE United States is about to con-
fer on the people Of the state Of Pan
anna very great benefit by the ex-
penditure of milliols of dollars I'm the
construction Of the canal. But this
fact must not blind us to the impor-
tance of so exercising the authority CIV
en- us under the treaty with Panama
as to avoid creating any suspicion,
however unfounded, Of our intentions
as to the future.
No Independent Colony.
1--WE have not the slightest intention
of establishing an Independent colony
in the middle of the state of Panama,
or of exercising any greater govern
mental functions than are necessary
TO enable us to conveniently and safe
ly construct, maintain and operate the
canal under rights given us by the
treaty.
Least of all do we desire to inter-
fere 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 exigen-
cies OF the case require 1t, in assert
ing the equivalent Of sovereignty 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 peo-
pie of Panama.
Would Create DIstrust.
"The exercise of such powers as are
given US by the treaty within the
geographical boundaries OF the repub-
lie Of Panama may easily, II a real
sympathy for both the present and flu
ture welfare of the people OF Panama
is not shown. create distrust OF the
American government. This would
seriously interfere with the success OF
our great project I'm 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 informa-
tion as can he obtained in respect to
the conditions existing In Panama and
the attitude and real interest of the
people OF that state.
Taft VIII Have Company.
After a conference with the secre-
tary Of State and yourself. have con-
cluded that It will be OF great advan-
tage II you can visit this Isthmus OF
Panama IN person and hold a confer
ence with the President and other gov
ernmental authorities OF the govern
ment OF Panama. You are authorized
IN doing this 10 take with you such
persons as YOU desire. familiar with ar
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