The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-06-13
TAFT'S LETTER DECLARES
UNITED STATES PURPOSE
Despite Inquiry Commission,
Anii-AdminlStTatiOn Cover
nOTS are Removed

Washington, June 13.-Diplomats
familiar with the ways Of the mighty
believe that President Roosevelt Is
contemplating the establishment of q
provisional government Of the United
States in Panama The shadows OF
coming events we're cast from the
White House when a letter from Secre-
tary Taft to AmadOr Guerrero, presi-
dent of the republic OF Panama, was
given out for publication. This was
taken to mean that the public was be-
ing prepared for a course of action b.
The United States in political affairs
on the isthmus.
The first step, which is that of m
terYentlon, has been expected from I'M
formation that has been impaired
mecemeal OF impending internal
troubles in the government of Panama.
based ON a coming election, which the
administration Of President Amador
was. on evidence transmitted 10 this
country presumed TO be preparing 10
carry by fraud.
Il was agitation of this subject by
The political party opposed to Presi-
'dent Guerrero's administration and its
appeals to the United States for pro
tection that caused Secretary OF War
Taft TO be seWt scurrying TO the canal
zone some weeks ago. IL was what
Mr. Taft wrote to the panamian pres-
dent when he was down there that 5
now made known 10 the American
people, and ia that simple act OF pub
licity at this late day the men who-e
business n Is 10 sift circumstances
and discern motives find that the days
of the Panama government arc mum
bered and tnat a course of training
and object lessons win be provided for
Panama as they We're for Cuba before
the Panama people will be again truss
ed with their own political business
Secretary Taft, in a letter delivered
to President Guerrero, among othsr
things, says
''The interest of the United States
Oh the fairness Of the elections of the
republic is manifest The United
States guarantees The integrity OF the
republic and this involves a recogni-
uon by it of the lawful government.
II fraud Is to intervene in the eiec-
ton. so that a dispute arises as D
who are the lawfully elected autho' T.
ties, then it becomes necessary for fhe
United States, in the discharge OF As
treaty and constitutional duty, to ce'-
ltermine who are the lawfully elected
OFFICERS the United States has di-
rect interest In case OF threatened
fraud in an election to interfere o
prevent IL. and In case the fraud is
carried out, to intervene 10 prevent the
succession Of those officials.
1T goes without saying that the
United States viii be most reluctant
20 intervene, but, for the reasons |
have given. should the occasion arise,
| / do not see how 1t can be avoide 1.
/ / venture TO suggest 10 your eXcellea-
ley therefore, that in view OF the
charges which have been made, the
| wisesc confse for your government 10
take is to give into the hands OF "a
person admittedly impartial as be-
tween SenOr as and Senior OhaldlA
/ the administration OF the interdepar.-
ment having control of the election
Mr. Taft included in his letter dis
patch he received from President
Roosevelt, as follows:
You are authorized to say TO Pres
Iidenl Amador that the government OF
lthe United States will consider any
latiempt az the election of a success lr
ny fraudulent meehod or methods
which dcny TO a large part OF the peO-
lple opportunity 10 vote. constitutes
disturbance of public order and this
government will not permit Panama o
PASS into the hands Of any one so elect
led The failure which you describe tO
lcomply with Inc laws assuring to the
lpeople Of Panama the opportunity TO
have their names entered IN the reg.
istry OF voters appears ian advance 90
be sufficient 10 inyalidate the ~ =
ton. and II the facts are as they have
been represented 10 you. wiopg a..
ready done must be redressed. In case
I'VE find occasion for intervention, 10
viii be necessary for this goyernwcrs
10 consider what steps IL Viii take foI
redress
Removed Opposing Officials
The first answer 10 this c0mmnni
cation received by Mr Taft from
President AmadOr WAS a GENIAL OF aAy
! fraudulent election and efiatl io
take any OF hv Steps suggested. Sub
sequently an agreement was nesched
|, between 5he Panamanian apihOiities
and the American minister aue Clm
nlissioners Goeihsls and Biackburn
together with the general counsel 81
. the commission, Air. Rogers. hy wAicl
Panama agreed TO create commits
r sion OF eiecrora inquiry
4 On May ls pc corimissioneis wer,
appointed and went 10 the yariou.
places Of registration in the district
The PaEafnanian authorities coGiend
"a that reg 'iration should proceed fol
!. ten days, from May Is 10 25. Sab