New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-11-17
No PANAMA ANNEXATION
It Would Dishonor Americans,
President Taft Declares.
lNSPECTS CUlEBRh CUT
Enters Panaman Territory 30
Dine with President
AroSnmena

Panama. Nov 16.-President Taft To-
night efectuaIIy silenced rumors that the
United States might annex Panama. Al
dinner given in his honor by President
Arcsemena. and attended by two hundred
prominent officials. diplomats and mer-
chants, Mr. Taft aroused the greatest en-
thusiasm when he declared that the Amer
lean people would feel utterly dishonored
hv annexing Panama unless some con-
duct on the part Of the Panamans left no
other course open
This contingency Mr.. Taft said he was
sure would never arise.
In the cuIebra Cut.
The President arrived IN Panama at $50
o'clock this evening from Culebra, after
spending an interesting day in the great
CUT where he was surrounded with giant
shovels putting drills and hurrying dirt
trains. while occasional distant blasts sent
up tons of rock. The recent landslides
were visible but they We're not disturbing
to the President or Lieutenant Colonel
Cocktails, the latter saying that care
would be taken Of them as they occurred,
until the degree Of wall slope prevented q
recurrence.
The President this afternoon reviewed
the marines at Camp Elliott, later hearing
grievance committees Of work1nen. who
asked for an increase in pay. This. how
/ ever. Is not likely TO be granted in view
! OF the fact that the wages of the men are
! already higher and the cost OF living is
much lower than in the United States.
/ Immediately after his arrival in Panama
the President proceeded TO the American
. Legation, where President Arosemena
/ called on him. Mr.. Taft returned the call
/ at the palace and then went TO the dinner.
After an address of cordial welcome by
! President Arosenena, Mr.. Taft said:
4 President Arosemena and my friends OF
/ Panama l am Sla0 TO accept your hospi-
/ tally. As once IN the case OF Mexico. so
now II the case OF Panama. / venture 10
violate the customary limitation upon the
/ movements OF the President OF the United
: states by leaving the SOIL OF M own CoUn-
Try 10 come beneath the flag and protection
4 OF q friendly neighbor-
The birth Of the republic Of Panama and
the peculiar interest which the United
/ States has had since that birth in Panama
/ welfare and prosperity have found com
mon cause il the construction OF ne
( Panama Canal. The treaty between the
4 Two countries makes the United States the
! EuaTa nror OF the integrity of the Pana-llan
Republic. and therefore IN sense The
guardian Of the liberties OF her people Sc
cured by its constitution Our Tesponsl-
) bility. therefore. for your government re-
.
! conduct by those selected as the officials
! OF your government after they are select
! ed and 10 insist that they be selected &C
/ COrGinE TO law
All this makes Us especially interested IN
! what IS done by your government. but this
I relation neither calls for nor permits an
! ueXafiOn We are here 10 construct nam
+ tain. operate and defend the world canal
. which runs through the heart OF your coUn-
Try. and YOU have given US the necessaT-
/ sovereignty and jurisdiction over that part
! Of your country occupied by the canal &c
enable Us 10 DO this effectively
We do not wish any further responsibility
II respect TO your government than Is
necessary in the carrying out of our pur-
pose 70 construct and maintain this canal
We have no desire 10 add 10 the territory
under our Jurisdiction EXCEPT as the opera
tior Of he canal may require II
We have guaranteed YOUR integrity as
republic aud for Us TO annex your terri
tory would be 70 violate that guarantee
and nothing would justify II on our part SC
long as Panama performed her part under
the treaty.