The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-25
President Roosevelt Will Visit
the Isthmus Of Panama
In the Fall to Look Over the
Canal Work.
WITH TAFT AND SHONTS
The Trip Is to Be Strictly /
Business One.
Projected San Francisco Visit Is
Called OF.

Washington. June 25.-It was an
nounced at the White House that
President Roosevelt would visit the
Isthmus of Panama in November next
and remain there long enough to make
a thorough examination of conditions
on the canal strip.
Details of the journey have not been
worked out, but the general plan is to
visit the canal zone as late in the au-
tumn as possible in order to enable the
president to return to Washington in
time for the convening of the regular
session of congress on the first Monday
in December. By waiting until Novem-
Der the president will visit the isthmus
at a season when the heat is less In
tense than in midsummer and after the
actual work of making the dirt fly is
we'll under way.
The president will be accompanied
by Secretary of War Taft and Chair
man Shonts of the isthmus canal COM
mission. It Is expected that Chief En-
gineer Stevens win be on the isthmus
at the time. President Roosevelt and
Mr.. Taft probably will make the trip to
Colon or Cristobal on a warship posi-
bly, the Mayhower. familiarly known
as the presidents yacht
Wants TO See Things for Himself
It Is Mr.. Roosevelt's purpose in maxi
ing the trip to learn as much as posi-
bic by personal observation of the con-
dttiOns along the line of the big ditch,
and obtain such information as WI en-
able him during the remainder of his
almost from the standpoint of an ex-
! pert in waterway construction. The
/ trip VIII be divested, SIS far as possible,
/ of all appearance of a. junket. and large
public demonstrations will be discour-
aged. It fact, It is to be strictly a busi-
! ness trip.
It is not unlikely the president will
wait until his return to Washington
/ before writing that part of his annual
message to congress pertaining to the
I Panama canal, although the rest of the
J state paper will be prepared before he
! leaves here. He probably will not re-
turn until shortly before the conyening
! of congress.
4 President Roosevelt and Secretary
4 Taft will travel across the isthrnus in
/ a lelsurely manner by rail, and viii
4 stop at intervals to inspect different
4 points of the canal route. the quarters
! provided for Workmen. and other mat
| ters Of interest and Importance to the
canal project. The round trip from
Washington probably will occupy
nearly three weeks.
Cuts Out San Francisco Trip.
It had been the presidents intention
\ to visit San Francisco in October next
to attend the laying of the cornerstone
of the new federal building and en-
courage, by his presence. the rebuild
| ing of the city. In view of his expected
trip to Panama, however, the Pacific
coast journey has been abandoned.
The president also has modified his
plans for a trip to the middle west in
| the spring of next year. Several
/ months ago he accepted an invitation
1 to attend the hftieth anniversity of the
! college, Lansing, Mich. The an
nouncenent that he would visit Michi-
gan was followed by invitations to go
/ to other states, notably Illinois, Mis-
souri, and Iowa. In view of the large
number of invitations and the impos-
sibility of accepting all. Mr.. Roosevelt
decided he will visit Lansing only, this
being the first of the series of invita-
tions That will be in May.
When the president visits the isthmus
of Panama he VIII be obliged of course
to break the general rule of presidents
not to leave the jurisdiction Of the Unit
+ ed States during their term of office.
4 It will be by far the most extensive trip
during his incum bency. AS soon as his
| vessel reaches its destination however,
the president in landing upon the canal
zone will be. technically a least, on
American soil.
VIII Not Touch Alien Territory.
While making the ocean trip he will
| be far from the boundaries of the Unit
| ed States. but, contrary to q queer pop
ular notion, the president in making
this journey will violate no constitution
al or statutory provision. Mr.. Roosevelt
already has been outside the jurisdic-
ton of the United States during his
term. In making the trip from New
Orleans to Hampton Roads on a war
ship last fall the president nearly all
of the Journey was outside the three
mile limit.
In going to the isthmus the vessel
upon which the president travels win
not necessarily approach any land other
than that of the United States nearer
| than three miles. and he will be able to
return to washington. therefore, with
out having visited alien territory during
/ his absence