Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-06-20
TAFT WARNED PANAMA
intervention to Come From United
States If Fraud is Tried.
TOY STATE is DEFIANT
Opponents OF Slated President Re
moved From covernorship--Elec-
toral Basis JussIed.

4
coming presidential election Will be
conducted under threat of interven-
ton so plainly put the language cam
not be misunderstood. Both President
Roosevelt and Secretary Taft have no
titled the Panama government that
elections in that republic must be
conducted fairly.
I Secretary Taft In a letter delivered
to President Amador in person, and
dated May u. suggests that two Years
ago when charges OF fraud were made
concerning the congressional election
at Panama II was not thought best to
do more than to urge fairness in the
administrators OF election laws, the ir-
Irregularities being excused as due TO
newness of the situation and the laws.
Now. however. backed by instruc-
tons OF the president. Secretary Taft
warns President Amador that there
must be no fraudulent efforts to elect
Senior Arias. the present Panamanian
secretary of state, who. both liberals
and conservatives charge. Is the slated
candidate OF the governor to succeed
President Amador. Secretary Taft I'm
lcludes in his letter the dispatch he
lreceived from President Roosevelt as
follows:
You are authorized to say to Pres
lident Amador that the government OF
the United States will consider any
attempt at the election of a success
sor by fraudulent method or. methods
which deny to large part OF the peo-
pie an opportunity to vote, consti-
ltutes a disturbance Of yuDlic order.
which under Panama's constitution .se-
lquires intervention and this govern-
ment will not permit Panama to pass
Into the Lands OF anyone so elected.
The failure which you describe, 10
comply with the laws, assuring the
people of Panama the opportunities
to have their names entered in the
registry Of voters appears In advance
Ito be sufficient to invalidate the cleo
ton, and II the fscts are as they have
been represented to you, wrong al
ready done must be redressed and fair
registry lists made up"
Canal Zone at Stake.
Why the United States shouid take
lsuch course Secretary Taft makes
lclear in a few words: "The United
Estates guarantees the integrity OF the
republic, and this involves recogni
ton by 1t of the lawful government
II fraud Is to intervene in the election
so that dispute arises as to who are
the lawfully elected authorities, then Il
becomes necessary for the United
States to determine who are the law
fully elected officers. More than this,
every fraudulent election involves
force and violence in the election 1t.
lself, which necessarily endangers the
l2eace Of the Canal Zone"
The first answer received By Mr.
Taft from President Amador was a
Idenial OF any fraud in the election
land a refusal to take any OF tn, steps
suggested. Subsequently. the registfa.
ton commission, in which the United
States participated, was appointed
and investigated the registry, Still
later, three governors known to be
in favor of Obaldia. the opponent OF
Secretary Arias, were removed. At
the same time the government has
decreased the electoral votes, which
under the law may be cast by Colon
for the president II. Colon being nm
lderstood to be an Obaldia district and
has increased by five the ele ctoral
representation from the province Of
Los Santos, understood to be prov
ince likely to vote in favor OF Arias.
No opinion was expressed at the
war department whether these circnm-
stances were leading to fraud requir-
ing Intervention.