Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-19
WILL VISIT PANAMA
Secretary Taft to Confer With
Head Of the New Republic.
TO ALLAY IRRITATION
HOPE OF AMICABLE AGREEMENT
ON PENDING QUESTION.
President Roosevelt Wishes to Demon
TO ALLAY IRRITATION
President Roosevelt Wishes to Demon
strate This Country's Friendship to
the People of the Isthmus.

Secretary Taft will make an official visit
to Panama next month, at the suggestion
of the President, for the purpose of meet
ing the president of the Panama govern
ment with a view of reaching an amicable
and satisfactory agreement upon certain
questions which have arisen in connection
with the government of the canal zone.
The purpose of the visit is shown In a
letter of instructions written by the Presi-
dent to Secretary Taft.
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 letter. and
the Secretary of War invited the minister
to accompany him in his trip. 1t is impos-
sible to say exactly when the Secretary of
War can leave for Panama but probably
on Monday, the 14th of November.
The Presidents Letter.
The Presidents letter is as follows:
White House. Washington,
October 49, 1904.
Sir: By executive order of May 8, 1904, 1
placed under your immediate supervision
the work of the isthmian canal commits
sion both in the construction of the canal
and IN the exercise of such governmental
powers as 1t seemed necessary for the
United States to exercise under the treaty
with the republic of Panama in the canal
strip There is ground for believing that in
the execution of the rights conferred by
the treaty the people of Panama have been
unduly alarmed at the effect of the eStab-
lishment 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 independ-
ent community which shall injuriously af-
feet their business, reduce their revenues
and diminish their prestige 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 dollars In the construction of the canal.
But this fact must not blind to the i'm
portance 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 fu-
ture. We have not the slightest intention
of establishing an independent colony in
the middle Of the state Of Panama, or of
exercising any greater governmental func-
tions than are, necessary to enable US COM
veniently and safely to construct maintain
and operate 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 Panama.
This Governments Intentions.
However far just construction of the
treaty might enable us to CO. did the ex-
igencies of the case require it, in asserting
the equivalent of sovereignty over the
canal strip, it is our full intention that the
rights which we exercise shall be exercis-
ed with all proper care for the honor and
interests of the people of Panama. The
exercise Of such powers as are given US
by the treaty within the geographical
boundaries of the republic of Panama
may easily, if real sympathy for both
the present and future welfare OF the
people of Panama is not shown, create
distrust of the American government.
SarjnnSlv interfere with the
success of our great project in that coun-
try. 1t is of the utmost Importance that
those who are ultimately responsible for
the policy pursued should have at hrst
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
Directed to Visit Panama.
After a conference with the Secretary
of State and yourself 1 have concluded
that it will be of great advantage If you
can visit the Isthmus of Panama in per-
son and hold conference with the presi-
dent and other governmental authorities
of the republic of Panama. You are au-
thorized 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 bet
ter. The Secretary of state Will instruct
the OnlteO otdteS iiiihiSeSi a. eihoAnh ~
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 re-
public what the policy Of this govern
ment 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 result of your visit on your return.
Very truly yours,
To the Secretary of War.