Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-06-12
MUST PRESERVE CITIZENS RIGHTS
Amador Was First inclined to be
Very Independent. but He Finally
Came Around to the Roosevelt Way
ct Thinking-Uncle Sam Will Re.
sort to Arms II Necessary.

WASHINGTON. June II. - lin lar.
gr&ga that cannot b" mistaken In"
text of which was made public today
by the war department. the President
ana Secretary raft have notified the
Panama government that elections in
that republic must be conducted fairly.
The circumstances attending this
warning were given out for publica-
ton as if in preparing for actir" III
t"rvrnliun on the part of the United
States by the use of whatever force
shall be necessary to make ii Ct
fective.
Secretary Taft. in letter deliv-
cred to President Anladur in person.
and dated May l.. suggests that two
years ago when charges of fraud
were made concerning the Congress
Sional election at Panama it was net
thought best to do more than to urge
fairness in the administration of cleo
ton laws. though there was much
evidence Of violence and OF repeat
ing. 1t was hoped that the irregn-
laritiGs were due merely to the fact
that the election laws were new. the
republic was young and that in
more important election like the
pending pr sidcntial election. greater
care would be taken 20 preserve the
rights of the citizens.
The interest OF the United States
in tn fairness of the election of the
republic is manifest. The United
States guarantees the integrity OF the
republic and this involves recOa-
milton by it of the lawful govern
III mt.
U. S. 10 Act as Referee.
IF fraud is to intervene in the
election so that dispte arises. as
TO who are the lawfully elected au-
thorities. then it becomes necessary
for the United States in the discharge
of its treaty and constitutional duty
to GctcTminc who are the lawfully
elected officers in order that it may
recognize them and deal with them
as such. More than this, every fraud
ulcnt election involves force and .!O-
lcRce IN the election itself. which
necessarily cndangcris the peace of
the canal zone. and is exceedingly
likely to arouse in the party defeat.
ed by fraud and violence dispo-
sition TO resist the frauIulen;iy elect
ed officials and to institute a rebel
lion"
Mr.. Taft included in his letter a
dispatch from President Roosevelt as
follows:
You are UihOriZcd to say 10 Pres
idcEt Amador that the governm III
o. the United States will consider
any attempt al the eleetsGa of his
grcccssor Ivy fraudulent method or
methods, which dcnv 10 a large part
Of the people opportunity TO vot"
constitutes 4 disturbance of public
order which under Panamas c"nsti
tn: ."n requires intervention and ihisc
government will nos n rmit Panama
10 pass into the hands o: any oae
SO elected.
The failure which you describe. 10
comply with the laws. assuring To the
pCopI of Panama the opportunity 4"
have ihcir nams'S entered in tn" reg
igrry 81 voters, appears in advance ~
b" surici"u; ~ InysIidarc tn" election
ard IL the facts are - represented.
you were wrong. and n wrong done
must lp. rCdrrsS"d. anI fair registry
lists made NJ. In case w. find OCCa
yiIn for intervention. il will h. nee.
syary for tbs gov, THmrut ~ con
slider wat Sicu. 4 WI take for r."
dr"Ss ~ IN" wrong done ani 20 pre-
ycri rc:"iiiirn in the fu;u-.'"
aunsder Inclined 80 he independent.
Tho first answer 10 this communi
caiiun received by Mr. T7n from
President SmadDr VAS a denial Of any
fraud III tn ci-ctiun md ? refusal
IN take any cf tho SLOWS suggested
Subsequently, n aErr"mcnt vas TCIch-
81 Nv which Panama agrrcd ., ere
at q commission rf electoral inquiry
10 investigate tn rUTuv'atnta 81 all
parties. and undcr which ~" United
State was e. join IN the inquiry
through anv persons appointed nv II.
with the right to examine and cross