Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-17
WOULD VIOLATE THE
EXISTING GUARANTEE
Dinner is Given In Honor Of the Pres
ident by Arosmena and the
Cordial Relations Are DweIt
Upon by the American Chief Exec
utive-erands Reports as False.
(By Associated Press,

PANAMA. Nov. 16-President
Taft tonight efrectually disposed of
the report that the United States was
likely TO annex Panama. Al a dinner
given in his honor by President
Arosmena and attended by two hun
dred prominent officials, diplomats
aud merchants, President Taft arous-
ed the greatest enthusiasm when he
declared that the American people
would feeh utterly dishonored in an
neXing Panama unless some conduct
on the part of the Panama people
left no other course.
This contingency Mr.. Taft was sure
would never arise.
The President arrived at Panama
at $50 o'clock this evening from Gull
cbra after spending an interesting day
in the great cut where he was COM
pletely surrounded. often times with
giant shovels, putting drills and hur-
rying dirt trains while occasional dis
tant blasts sent up tons of rocks. The
recent landslides were visible, put
they were in no wise disturb
ing to. the President or Lieu
tenant Colonel Goethals, the latter
saying that they would be taken, care
of as they occurred.
Reviews Marines.
The President this afternoon re-
viewed the marines at Camp Elliott.
later hearing grievance committees
who asked for an increase in pay
This, however, is not likely to be
granted in view OF the fact that the
wages already are higher and the
cost of living much lower
On his arrival the President pro-
cecded to the American legation
where he was called on by President
Arosmena. Mr.. Taft returned the call
at the palace and then proceeded to
the banquet
After referring to the relations be-
tween the United States and the Pan
anna republic, which relation the
President declared neither calls for
nor permits annexation" the presi-
dent said:
I'VE are here to construct. main
tain. operate and defend the worlds
canal which runs through the heart
of your country but you have given
us the necessary sovereignty and
jurisdiction over that part of your
country occupied by the canal to en-
able us 20 do this effectively. We
do not wish any further responsible
ity in respect to your government
than Is necessary in the carrying out
of our purpose TO construct and main
tain this canal. We have no desire
TO add TO the territory under our jur-
isdiciion except as the operation OF
the canal may require IT,
Would Violate Guarantee.
we have guaranteed your integrity
as a republic, and for us to annex
territory would be to violate that
guarantee and nothing would justify
II on our part so long as Panama
performed her part under the treaty.
Il wish to make this statement as
emphatic "a possible because ire
sponsible persons. without the slight
est foundation in fact. have started
runor that my visit to the isthmus
is for the purpose of promoting an
nexation when nothing could be
further from the truth Panama can
not he too prosperous. too healthy,
too strong q government for the Unit
ed States and I know I speak the
unanimous voice OF the people OF the
states when ] say that they would
be most reluctant TO have to take
over the rcspOns Utility o: government
beyond the canal zone aud would feel
ii utterly dishonorcd in so doing IN
less there was some conduct on the
part Of the Panama people which left
them no other possible course.
Il am glad to say that there is
not the slightest indication or proba-
biIity that the Panama people viii
ever pursue a policy which woHid re-
quirc such a change In the present
most satisfactory relations between
tho fwo rouuhlfcz~