The Washington times., 1905-06-03
JOHN BARRETT'S WORK
PRAISED BY PANAMA
American Minister'S Services There Commended by
the Government Organ--Promotion to Bogota Best
Answer to Criticisms of Official Acts

stances in which he has proved his
worth '.en the firing line OF our foreign
affairs. As an unfiring worker, as q
broad-rninded student of political ard
diplomatic conditions, and as a man Of
character cad decision. he could ask no
higher recognition of his work than his
continued advancement from one post of
Importance TO another in the countrys s
service.
Judging from the reports of internal
dissensions which have come from Pan
anna from time to time, it would not be
tions the subject Of criticism On the
contrary, the Government organ, the
Star and Herald. In the course of laud-
atory article, speaks of the American
ministers 8 service there In terms OF high
est praise. The editorial referred to by
AIr. Barrett says in part.
His TactfuI Course
mo minister could have labored hard
er and more conscientiously than Mr..
Barrett for the joint good OF Panama
and the United States. He has had the
complete confidence Of President ANA
dor and his advisers ever since he nrsS
arrived and he has made himself liked
by the people OF Panama, regardless
of noafttcaI associations, because OF his
uniform courtesy and fairness Coming
here first at the time when there ~ers
grave difficulties between the Panama
government and the Canal Commission
In regard 20 treaty stipuiafions. ne as
once quoted public feeling by nis eaeI-
ful address to the President ana nls
congiderate treatment OF the arguments
advanced by the Panarna. government
.sIn all the relations OF Panama ana
| the Zone ne has taken into consioef4-
| tfon the rights of Panama as wen as
e1,arfiing those of the United States
| Ia this way was probably laid the foun-
States States that there was lack Of harmony
between the minister 6nG Sna coInInls-
sion. We can state with authority
| that there was no friction. PUT Lnat .9... az.
| Barrett differed frankly with the con1-
mission as TO some matters OF pEooso-
ure IN dealing with the Panama govern
ment. His relations. however. wlin cen cen
/ eral Davis and Engineer Wallace ware
very cordial and they co-opera1ed l9
| thorough harmony. He recommended
/ the union Of the positions or minister
and governor IN the person. or the gov
ernor because he believed Il would ba
for the best interests OF both couIIlr1es'
| avoiding red tape, delay and nltsundeE-
| standings. It is to the minister's eredie
| that he unselhshIy initiated q change
| that would remove him from nfgh pc
| sitton with no provision for himseir
| No Basis for Criticism.
This suggestion Of combining these
Offices has also laid Minister Barrett
American newspapers which. forgetting
that ne first advised and has since sup
ported the change. have repeatedly
strongly declared that the plan was
adopted TO get rid Of him as minister
He has also been criticised by sec
/ ton Of his home press, which seems
| TO have confused his administration with
| that Of the old commission. although
they were entirely apart, and all bis
acts have been approved by both gov
/ ernments. He has even been made the
victim Of foolish and false reports about
| trouble with the Panama government
| and difficulties with his own superiors.
but these have been emDhattealiy denied
| by the authorities here and Ia Wash
| ington.
sThe best evidence that Mr.. Barrett
| las done well in Panama IS the decis-
| Ion of President Roosevelt TO send him
| to Colombia at a time when important
and delicate negotiations are awaiting
l him."