The morning journal-courier., 1908-06-12
TAFT READY TO
 CALL OUT TROOPS
Panama Notified That United States Will Intervene to Prevent Fraudulent
 Election.
TEXT OF OFFICIAL THREAT
Warns President of Young Republic to Turn Over Election Ma chipery to Impartial
 Control.

Washington, June 11.--In language that cannot be mistaken the eXa!t the war department to-day the presi- dent and Secretary Taft have notified the Panama government that elec- tons in that republic must be con- ducted fairly. The circumstances at tending this warning were given out for publication as If in preparation for active intervention on the part of the United States by the use of whatever force shall be necessary to make 1t effective.
 Secretary Taft in letter delivered to President Amador in person and dated May l2, suggests that two years ago when charges of fraud were made concerning the congressional election at Panama 1t was not thought best to do more than to urge fairness in the administration nf election laws.
 Some very weighty evidence was adduced." he continues. to show that there were many who had been deprived of their constitutional right to vote in that election and there was much evidence of violence and repeat ing by the police in the cities of Pan anna, Colon and elsewhere. No a,- tive intervention however, was at tempted by the United States govern ment It was hoped that the lrreg. larities of the last election were due merely to the fact that the election laws were new, the republic was young, and that at a more important election like the presidential election to follow, greater care would be taken to preserve the rights of the citi- zcns.
 The interest of the United States in the fairness of the elections of the re- public was manifest. Tho United States guarantees, the integrity of the republic and this Involves a recognition by 1t of the lawful government. If fraud Is to intervene in the election SO that a dispute arises as to who are the law fully elected authorities, then it be- comes necessary for the United States. in the discharge of Its treaty and con- stitutional duty, to determine who are the lawfully elected officers. in order that 1t may recognize them and deal with them as such. More than this, every fraudulent election involves force and violence in the election itself which necessarily endangers the peace of the canal zone. and is exceedingly likely to arouse in the party defeated by fraud and violence g disposition to resist the frandulently elected officials and to ln- sttute a rebellion. Tho United States cannot look upon any election which ia not conducted on fair lines and Ia likely to lead to violence, with any thing but the utmost concern. and i' has a direct interest in case of threat ened fraud in an election to interfere to prevent 1t. and in case the fraud Is carried out. to intervene to prevent the succession of those officials in whose election there was not the free choice of the people.
 Since my coming to the isthmus, | have received petitions from a commit tee representing the liberal party and 2 committee representing the conserva' tive party, advising mo that at th' | coming election, there Is an intention on the part of officials who are in thu | government to deprive the lawful vot CTS of the republic of Panama of thu opportunity to express their choice o candidate for the presidency and b, l fraud and violence to return as th' successful candidate at that election Scnor Arlas, the present secretary O state"
 After recIting some of the specii, | charges of fraud, he suggested that th registration lists should again be open ed In order that voters should not h. deprived of the right to cast their bal l lots.
 Tt goes without saying" he added that the United States will be mos reluctant to intervene in the interna affairs of tho republic of Panama, bu | for the reasons have given, should tn | occasion arise, do not see how 1t cal be avoided, I venture to suggest t' your exceTlency therefore that In viev of the charges which have been made the wisest course for your governmen to take Is to give into the hands of | person admittedly impartial as between Senor Arias and senor Obaldia, the ad ministration of the interior departmen having control of the election ma chinery."
 The first answer to this communica ton received by Mir. Tart from Presi dent Amador was a denial of an fraud in the election and a refusal t take any of the steps suggested Sub scquently an agreement was reachet between the Panaman authorities an, the American minister and Comnls sioners Goethals and Blackburn, to geteher with the general counsel O the commission, Mir. Rogers, by whicl Panama agreed to create a commis sion of electoral inquiry to investigat the complaints of all parties, and up der which the United States was L
 join In the inquiry through any per sons appointed by It. with the right L examine and cross- s-examlne all wit nesses concerning past, present an
 future proceedings, and with the righ to inspect and copy all inscriptions o
 the registration lists, and 10 attend al sessions of the registration and cleo