The sun., 1908-06-13
READY 70 OCCUPY PANAMA
A FORCE OF 1918 MARINES
HELD IN READINESS.
Transports Await Call for Them From
Now Until tho Time OF Action Comes
Talk Of Permanent Occupation Of
Pam mn for the PrOtectiOD OF tho Canal

Transports Await Cuu Tor Them Er0m
Now Until tho Time OF Action Comes
Talk Of Permanent Occupation Of
Panama for the Protection Of the Canal.
WAsHINoToN, June 12.-Intervention by
the United States in the Government OF
Panama only rests on a radical change Of
conduct on tho part Of the ruling officials
Of the Panama republic. Persons best ao-
quainted with the views Of the President
and his Secretary Of War say the policy Of
the Administration has long been fixed and
that the precedent established in Cuba
outlined plan Of action that would be made
affective when the time for action comes.
Conditions in Panama being somewhat
peculiar the outcome of intervention there
may be different from what it has been in
Cuba, where the United States had pledged
itself to exercise only fostering care.
Military men who do not weigh sentiment
in discussing territorial questions are finding
reasons sufficient to their minds for per-
manent occupation by the United States
of tho cities Of Panama and Colon. which are
in the Canal Zone, in case the temporary
occupation Of Panama is made necessary
by overt acts Of the Panama Government
itself The talk is that officials in charge
of the Panama Canal work have all along
felt that the cities at either end Of the canal
of logical necessity should be in the hands
of strong Power if the safety Of the canal
was to be assured. BY the treaty with
Panama the United States has the authority
to use armed forces for the protection Of
the canal without any reference to any dis
turbance or disagreeable conditions in the
Panama republic. This is right that the
United States may exercise at its discretion
What the Roosevelt Administration most
apprehends and what it is preparing to
nip in the bud is rebellion against the pres
ent Government in Panama. 1t is said
that President Arnador's administration
has become 30 unpopular with the people
that in the event Of its vindioation by doubt
full methods Ut the polls in the coming cleo,
tion, on July IL, there is likelihood Of an
outbreak. The opposition, headed by Senior
Obaldia, who appears to be the lion Of the
moment in the eyes Of the Panamans does
not admit the possibility of the election by
fair means of the candidate that President
Amador has selected to succeed himself.
There is the rub. The Roosevelt Admin
istration has served notice on President
Amador that the election must be fair.
Every voter must have an opportunity to
exercise his right of franchise The dispo-
stion OF Amador's directing officials has
been, according to reports the truth of
which, it is thought, Taft accepted after
a personal investigation, to so gerrymander
the election precincts as to largely restrict
the suffrage to the supporters Of the Ad-
ministration. While the Administration
here has let it triok!e out somehow that
coercive measures would be taken if the
Panama Government exhibited a desire to
act in good faith in providing for pure
elections, it will be seen that the election
in any event may not be accepted as final
by the followers of Senior Obaldia, and
trouble may swiftly follow.
There is belief that Secretary Taft came
back from Panama with that view Of the
situation, 30 that however fair the election
arrangements might seem on their face.
there would be hue and cry If Secretary
of State Arias, who is the Presidential can
didate that President Anador is backing
for the succession, should triumph On
the other hand if Obalciia should carry the
day there is no telling what Arias might
do with the machinery of government and
his handful Of soldiers to command. Arias
is described as u crafty and adventurous
spirit.
These conditions probably explnin why
it is that the United States is ready to land
a force in Panama without waiting to see
what the election may bring forth and be-
fore describing what the next step OF the
United States Government shall be. Secre-
tary Metcalf to-day issued orders to have
transportation provided for three battalions
of marines at moments notice. These
battaions number Ali men each There are
2So marines now on duty in the Canal Zone.
One hundred more are on the way there
on the Prairie. Another hundred left
Philadelphia to-day. All told this makes
q force of l,7l3 marines for Panama. The
three battalions that are ordered to be held
in readiness will be drawn from Boston,
New York, Philadelphia. Norfolk or Wash
ington and transports will await a call for
htem from now on.
Officials of the Government on familiar
terms with Secretary of War Taft say that
he has frequently stated that the possibility
of even a miniature revolution in Panama
must he stayed on account OF the de-
moralizing effect IL would have on the
employees Of the Panama Canal. 1t is
said to be his opinion that the work could
not be prosecuted through period of un-
rest, and for that reason, if no other,
the United States would have to shape
and resolutely enforce conditions that
would insure peace