New-York tribune., 1908-05-20
FOR PANAMA ELECTION
Taft Induces Government to Plan
Measures against Fraud.

,s,.,,-.o, MAY 19.-Following the Cabinet
.o.,,. +o-sav. Secretary Taft made public the
a--anrer,ents made by the Panama govern
,,e,, h, which Il is hoped the purity of the
,lo-ipr at the elections next July will be
e-at1,sbed I-pon the recent visit Of Mr. Taft
"a -be isthn,us ne brought TO the attention of
,be Panama authorities representations that
"a neen made 10 him tending to show that
,be-e was likely 10 be great fraud in the COM
sne Presidential elections, which, IL permitted
might lead to riot and insurrection. necessita1-
ing the intervention Of the United States to
rreserye order, in accordance with treaty stipu-
lations.
The arrangement contemplates the creation
by Panama Of a commission OF electoral inquiry
with power to investigate all complaints and
in this inquiry the United States is to toin
Tie arrangement, with an Introductory state
nlent by Secretary Taft. is as follows:
Representations were made to Secretary Taft
that there was likely TO be great fraud in the
elections 10 be held for the Presidency of pan
on July u, and the REPRESENTATIONS includ-
ed afhoaNiIs tending show that registration
had ALREADY been denied TO many persons apply
ing Tor The same who Were entitled to register
These matters were brought the attention of
the Panalnan government. and il was pointed
out mat II fraud was permitted in the elections
il would be likely to lead TO violence and riot
ano lnsuTrection, contrary the interests of the
United States, and that il would then be the duty
of Inc United states TO preserve order under the
treaty and the constitution Of Panama Accord
ingly, the government Of Panama approved and
announced the following arrangements:
!. Commission Of electoral inquiry to be Gre
ated by Panama with full power investigate
complaints OF all parties.
?. United States to join in this inquiry through
shy agents concurrently with right to examine
and cross-eXamine all witnesses concerning
past. present and future proceedings from begin
ming end: fun right of inspection and COPY of
all Inscriptions and ascertafnment of omissions.
also right attend all sessions of juries Of in
sCrirtion and election
g. Agents OF respective governments TO report
10 respective governments for their guidance
and action.
! Official declaration hs Panama that it de-
sires and assures open, fair and free election
and that result shall not be open TO reasonable
doubt. g 20 sHGK
3 II the United States comes 10 the conclusion
that material errors or defects are now here
after made in electoral proceedings, or that the
right Of suffrage has been may be lost TO
citizens through failure of electoral jury TO
discharge duties otherwise. then Panama will
cause same TO be remedied in some lawful man.
in due course before election.
6. Inquiry to begin forthwith and be pursued
with the utmost diligence.
:. Official letters exchanged to-day embody-
inC the foregoing and the agents TO leave within
forty-eight hours for the interior. BY this plan
any past errors can be ascertained. not ex parte.
crssity for present hostile action The agents
IF the United States Will have judicial func-
fion but 10 report 10 their governments.
Subsequently the Cabinet agreed to allow the
inscription Of new names-that is registration
until Nav 25. The commissioners appointed on
behalf Of the American government left on the
57th and the rest Will go tomorrow. Sehor
obaldia viii also be permitted to send private
representatives.
Senior Obaldia is one of the candidates for
President.
Secretary Taft left here this afterno for
Nashville. Tenn where ne has engagement
address the Tennessee Bar Association on
Thursday next. He will then 60 10 Cleveland TO
attend reunion Of the Western Federation Of
Yale Clubs, to be held Saturday. These two en-
eagerents were made by the Secretary before |
his recent visit 70 Panama. He will return TO
Washington Monday