The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-17
President Taft Sets at Rest All RuInOrs Upon
 the Subject
TAFT MAKES ADDRESS
 AT A DINNER IN PANAMA
Enthusiasm Is Aroused Among the Panamans Fly the Announcement That the United states Will
 Not Annex Panama

Panama, November 1G.-President Taft tonight effectually disposed of the report that the United States was likely to an- mex Panama. At dinner given in his honor. by President Arosemena, and at tended by POO prominent officials, diplo- mats and merchants, President Taft aroused the greastest enthusiasm when he declared that the American people would feel utterly dishonored in annex ing Panama unless some conduct on the part of Panama left no other course. This contingency, MT. Taft was sure. would never arise.
 The President arrived at Panama at 6:3O o'clock this evening from .Culebra after spending an interesting day in the great cut, where he was completely sur rounded oftentimes with giant shovels puffing drills and hurrying dirt trains, while occasional blasts sent up tons of rock. The recent landslides were visi- hle, but they were in wise disturbing to the President or Colonel Goethals, the latter saying they will be taken care of as they occur until the degree of wall slope prevents a recurrence.
 The President this afternoon reviewed the marines at Camp Elliott, later hear ing grievance committees who asked for an increase in pay.
 This however, is not likely to be grant ed, in view of the fact that the wages of the men are already higher. and the cost of living much lower than in the United States Immediately on his ar rival in Panama the President proceeded t,. q, called on by President Arosemena MT Taft returned the call at the palace and then proceeded to the banquet. After an address of cordial welcome by the Panaman President. MT. Taft said President Taft's Speech President Arosemena and my friends of Panama, I am glad to accept your hospitality. As once in the case of Mex leo, so now in the case of Panama. I ventured to violate the customary limita- tions upon the movements of the Presi- dent of the United States by leaving the soil of my own country to come beneath the flag and protection of friendly neighbor.
 "The birth of the republic of Panama and the peculiar interest which the United States has had since that birth in Pan anna S welfare and prosperity have found a common cause in the construction of the Panama canal. The treaty between the two countries makes the United States the guarantor of the Panama re- public and, therefore, in a sense, the guardian of the liberties of her peo- pie secured by It's constitution. Our re- sponsibility, therefore, for your govern ment requires us closely 10 observe the course of conduct by those selected as II cia1c of ynN they are selected and to insist that they te selected according to law.
 "All this makes us especially interested in what Is done In your government, but this relation neither calls for nor per mits annexation. We are here to con struct maintain, operate and defend the worlds greatest canal, which runs through the heart of your country and you have given us the necessary soy ognty and jurisdiction oyer that part of your country occupied by the canal to enable us to do this effectively. We do rot wish any further responsibility In respect to your government than is neces- sary in the carrying 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 operation of the canal may require 1t.
 "We have guaranteed your integrity as a republic and for us to annex territory  nothing would justify it on our part SC long as Panama performs her part under the treaty.
 "I wish to make this statement as em- phatic as possible because Irresponsible persons, without the slightest foundation t, fact have started a rumor that my visit to the isthmus Is for the purpose of promoting annexation. when nothing could be further from truth Panama cannot be too prosperous, too healthy too strong a government for the United States, and I know I speak the unan- imous voice of the people of the United States when I say that they would be most reluctant to have to take over the re responsibilities of government beyond the canal zone and would feel utterly dis honored in so doing unless there was some conduct on the part of Panaman reople which left them no other possible course.
 'I 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