The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1910-11-18
NO ANNEXATION
i CONTEMPLATE
President Taft Disposes Of Re-
port About Panama.
AROUSES GREAT ENTHUSIASM

Delivers an Address at a Banque,
In Panama, Which Is Attended BY
Two Hundred Persons-says Unit
cd States Will Not Interfere With
Affairs Of Republic Unless Abso.
iuteIy Necessary. =.
Panama, Nov. 17.-President Taft
disposed Of the report that the United
States was likely to annex Panama
. At dinner, given in his honor by
g, President Arosemena and attended by
200 prominent officials, diplomats ano
merchants. President Taft aroused
. the greatest enthusiasm when he sale
the American people would feel utterly
dishonored in annexing Panama, un
less. some conduct on the part of the
. Panama people left no other course.
This contingency Mr.. Taft was sure
never would arise.
The president arrived at Panama
from Culebra, after spending an in
teresting day in the great cut. The
recent landslides were visible, but they
. were in no wise disturbing to the
president or to Colonel Goethals, the
latter saying that they were taken
care of as they occur until the degree
of wall slope should prevent recur
renee.
The president reviewed the marines
at Camp Elliott, later hearing griev.
ance- committees who asked for an in,
crease in pay.
Not Likely to BE Granted.
This, however, is not likely to be
granted in view of the fact the wages
of the men are already higher and the
cost Of living much lower than in the
United States. Immediately on his
arrival in Panama the president pro.
ceeded to the American legation.
where he was called on by President
Arosemena. President Taft returned
the call at the palace and then went to
:. the banquet. After an address of cor.
dial welcome by the Panaman prest
dent, Mr.. Taft said:
''The birth of the republic Of Pan.
anna and the peculiar interest which
the United States has had in Pan
ama's welfare and prosperity have
. found a common cause in the con-
struction of the Panama canal. The
treaty between the two countries
makes the United States the guaran-
tor Of the Panama republic and there
fore In q sense the guardian of the
liberties of her people secured by its
constitution. Our responsibility for
your government requires US closely
to observe the course of conduct by
those selected as the officials of your
government after they are selected
and to insist that they be selected ac-
oording to law.
Does Not Call for Annexation.
"All this makes US especially inter.
ested in what Is done in your govern
ment, but this relation neither calls
for nor permits annexation. We are
here to construct, maintain, operate
and defend the world canal which
runs through the heart Of your coun-
try and you have given us the neces-
sary sovereignty and Jurisdiction to
enable US to do this effectively.
1--WE do not wish any further re-
sponsibility in respect to your govern
ment than is necessary in the carry
ing out Of our purpose to construct
and maintain this canal. We have no
desire to add to the territory under
our Jurisdiction, except as the opera
ton of the canal may require 1t.
I'VE have guaranteed your integrity
as a republic and for US to annex ter
ritory would be to violate that guaran-
tee and nothing would justify 1t on
our part so long as Panama performs
her part under the treaty.
'T am glad to say that there Is not
the slightest Indication or probability
that the Panaman people will ever
pursue policy which would require
such q change in the present most
satisfactory relations between the two
republics"