The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-06-12
Require Fair Play in
Panama Elections
President and Secretary Taft
Force Compliance by Threat
of Intervention

WASHINGTON, June lin Ian
guage that cannot be mistaken the
president and Secretary Taft have noti-
fled the Panama government that cleo
tions in that republic must be con-
Quoted fairly. The circumstances at
tending this warning were given out
for publication as If in preparation for
active intervention on the part of the
United States by the use of whatever
force shall be. necessary. Secretary
Taft, in letter delivered to President
Amador in person and dated May 12,
suggests that two years ago, when
charges of fraud We're made concern
ing the congressional election at Pan
anna. it was not thought necessary to
do more than urge fairness in the ad-
ministration of election laws. He con-
tinues:
WARNING TO AMADoR
Some very weighty evidence was adluced to
show that there were many who had been de-
prived of their constitutional right 10 vote in
that election. and there was much evidence Of
violence and repeating by the police In the
cities of Panama, Colon and elsewhere. No
the United States government 1t was hoped
that the irregularities of the last election were
due merely to the fact that the election laws
were new, the republic was young and that at
more important election like the presidential
election to follow greater; care would be taken
to preserve the rights OF citizens =
The interest of the United States in the fair
ness of the elections is manifest The United
States guarantees the integrity of the republic
and this involves recognition by~it OF the
lawful government. II fraud Is TO intervene in
who are the lawfully elected authorities then
IL becomes necessary for the United States, in
the discharge of its treaty and constitutional
duty, TO determine who are the lawfully elected
officers. in order that 1t may recognize them
and deal with them such.
The United States cannot look upon any cleo
tion which is not conducted fair lines and
IS likely to lead to violence with anything hut
in case Of threatened fraud In an election TO
interfere to prevent the succession of those off,
cals in whose election there was not the free
choice Of the people.
RELUCTANT TO INTERFERE
After reciting some Of the specific
charges of fraud Taft suggested that
the registration lists should again be
opened in order that voters should not
be deprived of the right to cast their
ballots, and adds:
1t goes without saying that the United States
viii be most reluctant to interfere In the In
the reasons I have given. should the occasion
arise. do not see how It can be avoided
| venture 1t to suggest to your exeeliency there.
been made the wisest course for your govern
ment to take Is to give into the hands of
person admittedly impartial as between Senor
Arias and Senior Obaldia the administration of
the interior department having control Of the
election machinery
Iaft Included In his letter a dis
patch he received from President
Roosevelt as follows:
You are authorized to say TO President
Amador that the government Of the United
States viii consider any attempt at the cleo
tion OF successor by fraudulent method or
methods which deny to a large part of the
people opportunity to vote constitutes a dis
ttirbance Of public order which under Panama's
constitution requires Intervention and this gov
ernment Will not permit Panama to pass into
the hands of any so elected.
The failure which describe tn cou,nfv
with the laws assuring to the people of Pan
anna the opportunity to have their names en-
tered in the registry OF voters appears In ad-
and II the facts are they have been repre-
sented TO you wrong already done must be re-
we ind occasion for Intervention IL will be
necessary for this government TO consider what