The Washington herald., 1908-05-20
.TAFTASPEACEMkEER
Panama Mission Was to Halt
a Revolution.
TROUBLE OVER THE ELECTION
Statement Given Out at White House
After Cabinet Meeting United
States Granted Privilege of OBJ
serving the observation-disclosures Is
the Result of Fraud.

Secretary of War Tafts recent trip to
Panama was for the purpose OF prevent
ing a possible revolutionary outbreak
there
Panama is IN the midst of a PFesiden-
tial election TO choose a successor to
President Amador. The constitutional
party, headed by Senor Arias, minister
Of foreign affairs, according to reports
received in Washington, had denied the
privilege Of registration to members Of
another faction Of the constitutional party
headed by senor Obaldis, former minis
ter to the United States. and one OF the
candidates for the presidency OF the re-
public.
Such a critical period had been reached
that a revolution seemed almost inevita-
bic. President Roosevelt then decided to
send Secretary Taft TO Panama to &c, as
peacemaker.
The United States has been granted the
privilege of appointing representatives
who viii observe the elections and make
a report TO the President
Taft Issues Statement.
After Cabinet meeting yesterday. sec.
retary Taft gave out the following state
ment:
Representations were made 70 secTe-
| tary Taft that there was likely TO be
great frauds ia the elections to be held
for the Presidency OF Panama on July
u. and the representations included am
davits tending to show that registration
had already been denied TO many persons
applying for the same, who were entitled
10 register.
These matters were brought 70 the at
tention Of the Panaman government It
was pointed out that II fraud was permit
ted in the elections II would be likely 10
lead TO violence and riot and insurrection.
contrary TO the interests OF the United
States. and that II would then be the duty
Of the United States to preserve order
under the treaty and the constitution OF
Panama.
Programme Announced by Panama.
Accordingly, the government OF Pan
ANA approved and announced the follow
ing programmes:
''First-Commission OF electoral inquiry
to be created by Panama with full power
&c investigate complaints OF all parties
'Seeond-United States TO join IN this
inquiry through any agents, concurrently,
with right 10 examine and cross-examine
all witnesses concerning past. present,
and future proceedings from beginning
10 end: full right OF inspection and copy
Of all inscriptions and ascertainment OF
omission; also right to attend all sessions
OF iuries OF inscription and election.
''Third-Agents Of respective govern
! ments TO report TO their respective gov
ernments for guidance and action
"Fourth-Ofiicial declaration by Panama
that it desires and assures open, fair. and
free election. and that result shall not be
opened TO reasonable doubt.
'Fifth-If the United States comes to
the conclusion that material errors or de-
fects are now or hereafter made In cleo
toTal proceedings. or that right OF suf-
frage has been or may be lost TO citi-
Zens through failure OF electoral Jury 20
discharge duties or otherwise, then Pan
anna viii cause same 70 be remedied in
some lawful manner in due course OF
season before election
'Sixth-InQuiry 70 begin forthwith and
pursued with utmost intelligence.
''Seventh-Official letters exchanged to-
day. embodying the foregoing and the
agents leave within forty-eight hours for
the interior By this plan any past er-
rors can be asceTtained. not eX-parte,
but under conservation all parties with
out necessity for present hostile action.
The agents OF the United States viii have
no judicial function but report 10 their
government"
Subsequently the Cabinet agreed to al
Trv ~e
| Is, registration, until May p. The COM
| missioners appointed on behalf of the
American government left on May II, and
the rest viii go to-day. Senor Obaldia
was also permitted TO send private repre-
| sAntatives