New-York tribune., 1909-02-10
BAN ON RhINEY SPEECH
GOVERNMENT DIS4TOWS
RESPONSIBILITY.
Hr. Bacon Replies to Pdnand'S Pro
test against Criticisms of ObaIdid
and CromreU.

washington. Feb, a--The United States gov
s-r-nent dsavows aH responsibility for remarks
-,sse by Representative Rainey. Of Illinois. in
-. House about two weeks ago, Criticising
President Obaldia Of Panama, according 70
ls--sr sent to-day by Secretary Bacon Of the
State Dsra-1zDent to c. g Arosemena. Minister
from Panama. in reply 20 protest by the lat
ser made by direction OF the Panama govern
rnent-
At the same time the Secretary points out that
,re views OF individual members not to be
taken as expressing the views Of the govern
-,s-t, and declares that none Of the statements
made by Nj Rainey concerning which he Cthe
P-ssident) has knowledge have any foundation
II fact" Mr.. Bacou's lettsr is follows:
The President directs me TO say in answer 70
,-ol,- communication OF February 2. 1909, that
tbs remarks complained Of were made in the
House Of Representatives. Under our Constltu-
son we have for what we regard as wise rea-
sons provided that for any speech or debate IN
es-hs- house they (the Senators and Repre-
se--stives1 shall not be questioned in any other
maze This provision regard essential 10
secure full liberty Of speech to the elected rep
y~ser-arfves Of the people; and we feel that such
l,hartv of speech should be preserved, even
fsa,ssh & may occasionally be abused.
Il c-IEht TO be understood. however, that tho
iltteranoes q individual members are not 70 oe
tsEen as expressing the views either Of the gov
.---re-t o[ the United States or OF the house in
which such remarks are made AS regaT0s ihe
r,ste-rsnts IN question made by Representative
Rs.rev the President attaches so little i'm
-,o--arOe 70 them that he had not even read
then Until your protest came He he's now read
-he4a and none OF them concerning which he
rsf know edge have any foundation IN fact
Tho President wishes TO recall to your at
te1tio7 THAI the attack was mace even more
upon Americans including the President-elect.
than upon the officials of Panama The Presi-
dent need hardly say that this government ols-
sv~-~s Al responsibility for the remarks Of Rep
-esentstive Fainey 10 which you refer
AROSENENA REQUESTS DISAVOWAL
n his protest Sefor ATosemenG mentioned no
-snes. simply calling attention 10 two public
addresses II the House, which, he said con
s.it55ts 8 direct attack upon the President Of my
country as well as upon the fair name and ad-
-7'~isr-stion o. the Republic of Panama He
-eouestsd 3 sisavov-al Of the offensive remarks
concerning the President and Republic of Pan
s-ns such SIS may De deemed Just and commen-
Eu-ste with the deep and unvsrTanted injury
inflicted N President Obsldis- His government
sud peopls- the minister said Justly and natu-
rsT- resent the hsssiess and 1inwarTanted at
rscEz --pcu their President contained IN the
ETeechss referred 20. and he noted With surprise
tat measures concerning Panama solely and
pe76t1z before its legislature were at the same
-i--e the subject % official discussion and CD
Vrobr1ous criticism IN Legislative body OF this
government. and this with the declared purpose
O. inducing seton by the House to influence the
acton q the National Assembly OF Panama
Tbs letrs- continued:
Nv government further deplores the adverse
comments contained in ssid official addresses Of
said member OF the House OF Representatives
upon the treaties pending between the United
states, Panama and Colombia. which were con-
cUded on January last and which cT1ticlsIns
rend 20 affect their ultimate ratification
The Recublic Of Panama IS bound TO that or
your exceiIenCy not only by ties OF fraternity
ana by fervid admiration for its institutions, but
also by the insepareble bond Of q common In
;e-est IN the Panama Canal, located within its
boundaries and II Is a source OF profound regret
- Nv government R1d myself that occasion has
arises for calling attention 70 the occurrences
= which I have referred. but their character
is g. extraordinary that even the warm devotion
= nv country 70 that Of your eXcellenCy does
rc- perrn5r my government 10 disregard them.
Your exCsllency will note that am instructed
n include IN the protest the counsel Of this
lsza-ion and fiscal commissioner Of Panama IN
s-ts country I have not referred 10 him In the
fo-ezoirE protest Eolely IN Difference 10 his
request that 1 refrain from so doing, since he
&c citizen o. the United States. does not desire
49, ~greign government should intervene IN MS
behalf should. however. fail IN my duty II
T dc nor express the perfect confidence OF my
E0ys---7e7- and peopie in his personal integrity
s-6 Official z1prtEhtness. and. II the name OF my
zov~-r~-e-r absolutely deny the truth or any
- rhe Injurious statements in the addresses 10
which have referred concerning his relations
Or transactions with my government or any
rre1abe- n
william Nelson Cromwell. It Is understood. IS
tha counsel y tbs legation referred TO
roaSi5erze BE interest attached 70 the pTesen-
tsuor - Senor Arosenens's protest and the
s=cre-arv-s reply. as the incident, so far as the
present officials u the State Department recall,
* without PRECEDENT