New-York tribune., 1908-05-17
PEACE In PANAMA SURE
AMERICAN SUPERVISION.
4 Fair Election Made Certain 6y
Mr.. Taft's Viat:

Panama May 1s-When ii became known
here that the American Secretary OF war "ouiu
visit Panama, it was generally presumed 'i
he would interpose the friendly services vi 'o
United States to prevent disturbances at the
next Presidential elections. This matter Was
fully discussed during Mr.. Tafts stay here' anu
for several DAYS persistent reports have been in
circulation that the United States would take
hand in these elections. which will be held In
1u1,, To-day the result Of the conferences was
made public.
The Panaman government last evening ON
cially informed the government of the United
States through Joseph c. S. Blackburn Gov
ernor of the Canal Zone, and Herbert q. Sdulers'
the American Minister to Panama, that 1t nao
created a commission of electoral inquiry, winch
was empowered and directed to hear and ex-
anime all complaints, to examine all records and
proceedings. and, in short to investigate all
details relating to the coming elections
In view of the large interests in the United
States which would be affected in case of dis
turbances. Panama cordially invited the United
States to join it in such inquiries and proceed
ings and to designate such persons as it might
desire to examine and cross examine all wit
nesses, inspect and make copies of the electoral
lists and to conduct its investigation in conjunc-
tion ~rth Panama to secure the best results
Each commission, it was proposed. should make
report to it's respective government
Governor Blackburn, in reply to this official
notification. made the following statement to
the Panaman government:
In behalf of government express
apprcciation of the spirit of YOUR suggestion
and our acceptance and accord with the same.
We agree with you that not a day should be lost
in pursuing the necessary Inquiries and taking
appropriate action We shall, in behalf of our
government, designate various parties to visit
the several provinces Immediately, and we sug-
gest that we meet at once to arrange the neces-
sary details relating to the conduct OF these in
quiries.
Richard Reid Rogers, general counsel Of the
Panama Canal Commission. has been appointed
United States representative TO communicate
daily with the representative of Panama re-
garding the Investigation to be held Already
COMMITTEES composed Of canal employees, who
have been here for a long period and are thor
oughly acquainted with tho isthmus, has been
organized for the purpose OF making an inspec-
ton. The supporters of Sehor Obaidia, the for
nler Pananan Minister al Washington, now
candidate for the Presidency, have organized
committees for the same purpose.
It IS the general opinion here that the action
Of the United States in reaching forth q. guiding
hand, which practically means a supervision of
the coming election, cannot fail to bring about
beneficial results In Panama.
Secretary Taft, who recently spent six days on
the isthmus, is due to arrive at Charleston. 3 G,
Sunday. During mis- stay In Panama he had
many conferences with President Anador. Sehor
Arias the Foreign Secretary; Mr. Squiers, Senior
Arrange. the Panaman Minister and other prom
nent officials with regard to questions relating to
the boundary line between Panama and Colom
Bis, the canal administration and the
Ing elections. While In Panama he sent dis
patch TO Charles L. Magoon. provisional Governor
OF Cuba, inviting him, in the name OF the Panaman
administration and people, to go TO the isthmus TO
settle the questions that had arisen. Governor
Magoon replied to this message that he would give
two weeks, beginning June l. to the consideration
Of these questions. Governor Magoon Gov
ernor Of the canal in 1866.