The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-24
OUTLINED POLICY
PRESIDENT TAFT SAYS NO N'S'
NExATIoN BY THE UNITED
STATES.
INDEPENDENCE OF PANAMA SAFE
Given Banquet at Colon Iehs
Guests His Ideas-"Choose your
own OFFICIALS and Maintain ne
sponsible Government"


Colon, Nov. 1S.-The United STATES
will not annex Panama but will guar
antee the independence of the Centrai
American republic through wnlch runs
the great inter-ocean canal
President Taft made that clear dur
ing his speech here at the panque'
given in his honor by President Arose
mena at the Hotel Central in Panama
City. This formal and official dehnf
ton of the attitude of the Unlteu
States toward the Central American
states falling from the lips OF presi'
dent I aft with such positive repudia-
ton of the annexation talk was re-
ceived with enthusiasm.
President Taft said in effect:
GO ahead anil select your own ON
Gals according to your law and SO
long as you maintain responsible gov
eminent the United States will not In
terfer."
Significance was attached to the
view of the president and some won
dered If this was formal outline OF
our attitude toward Nicaragua. Tne
presidents words were received with
tumultous applause.
There was some little recruitment
among the politicians over the frank
ness of the statement of our response
bility. 1t was pointed out that this
required the United States to closely
observe the course Of conduct OF the
government officially after being care
fully selected and to establish prac-
tical protectorate over Panama. Our
officials are positive that 1t will go
no further, that this statement is sufii-
cient for American purpose.
Practically everybody in official life
here attended.
President Arosemena was attended
by his cabinet and the brilliant as
semblage included congressman,
judges and diplomats. Music was fur
nished by the National band. Presi-
dent Taft left Culebra at $3.50 o'clock
for the American legation. Almost
Immediately President Arosemena
called and later his visit was returned
by President Taft. Big crowds filled
| the streets and cheered with a great
| display of friendliness for the visiting
Americans. AS special honor Presi.
dent Arosemena is rendering a break
fast on Thursday morning to the visit
ing American journalists with Presi
dent Taft.
prac{dant Taft 10 eyraot1v ooroarv, cd
about the canal and regards its con
struction as the greatest thing facing
the Nation to-day. The engineering
| problems are ended and now comes
the question of devising methods Of
maintenance.
First, the fertilization and the mat
ter of the Guantanamo base. Their
must be settled the question of tolls
which is considered a very pressing
problem. Possibly there will be some
interesting rate cutting with Suez
which is making money on the $1.6(
ton basis. Canal officials here believe
/ that $100 would be sufficient charge
for our canal and that it can be profit
ably operated at even less If the Suez
rate is cut.
1t is evident that q big battle Is
ahead for the control of the commerce
of the world TINS is given as the rea
son why our government should exer
else control of all supplies, docks ant
warves and why it is essential thai
congress should Ak the maximum ant
minimum tolls, or leave it to the
president Speedy settlement of thess
questions is considered imperative a.
1t is almost certain that ships will bC
passing through by 1918.