The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-10-22

TAFT INSTRUCTED TO GO TO THr
lSTHr1US.
Pre- ident Desires That Republic Be
Assured That This Country vii,
Do Nothing Adverse TO It's Best
Interests-There Will Be Quite
Party.


has instructed Secretary Of War Taft
to proceed at an early date to Panama
to confer with the president of that re,
public, with view to compromising
the differences that have arisen be,
tween the two countries.
In the coxuse of his letter to Secre.
tary Taft the president says there ia
ground for believing that in the exc
cution Of the rights conferred by the
treaty the people Of Panama have been
unduly alarmed at the effect of'the es.
Enlistment of government in the
canal strip by the commission. Ap-
parently they fear lest the effect be to
create out of part of their territory
competing and independent communi-
ty which shall injurlously affect their
business, reduce their revenues and
diminish their prestige as nation.
The secretary is instructed to inform
the government of Panama that this
country has not the slightest intention
of esta blishing 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 conveniently and safely to
construct, maintain and operate the
canal under the rights given us by the
treaty. 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 the presidents order, and
the secretary of war invited the minis,
ter to accompany him ON his trip to
Panama.
will Go on Sumner.
1t is impossible to say exactly when
the secretary Of war can leave for Pan
anna. but probably on November IA.
While definite arrangements have not
yet been made, it is his purpose to go
to Panama on the army transport Sum-
ner from New York.
The personnel of the party has not
yet been arranged, but it is thought it
will be large one. Representing Pam
anna will be Minister Obaldia. Admi-
raj John g. Walker will 60 as a repre-
sentative of the canal commission.
Judge Charles Magoon, the law officer
Of the commission and of the bureau
of insular affairs, who has been Of
much assistance in framing orders and
regulations for the canal strip, also
will be of the party. The members of
the senate and house committees deal
ing with isthmian affairs will be in
vited, and as the entire trip, it is ex-
pected, can be made inside of month.
end little legislation is expected with
in the first two weeks of the approach
ing session Of congress, it is believed
the committeeman will find time to
make the trip.
One reason why Secreatry Taft de-
sires the attendance of the members Of
these committees is because he feels
that as they must legislate for the next
ten years concerning the canal strip
they will be better qualified for this
important work by personal knowl-
edge of conditions on the isthmus.
There were rumors Immediately on
the publication of the presidents letter
to the effect that Secretary Taft's trip
was caused by friction between the
three controlling elements on the 18TH
mus, the Panama government, the
American minister and the canal COM
mission, but Secretary Taft explicitly
denies this.