Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-11-19
TAFT PIE Asses
PANAMAP PEOPLE.
WITH ADDRESS
PRESIDENT I'M SPEECH AT BAN
QUIET SAYS UNITED STATES
HAS NO THOUGHT OF ATTEMPT
ING ANNEXATION

Panama, Nov, 17.-President Tafts
speech at President Arosemena's can
quet last night, was published this
morning. His declaration that the
United States has no intention of an
naxing Panama has given the live
Hest satisfaction and Panamans show
their appreciation by display OF
great friendliness for Taft and the
will sail for home tonight and on his
way will write his, message to con.
gress. IA
Mr.. Taft's Speech.
After an address of cordial welcome
by the Panaman president, Mr.. Taft
said in part:
The birth Of the republic OF Panama
and the peculiar interest which the
United States has had since that birth
IN Panama's welfare and prosperity
have found 2 common cause in the
construction of the Panama canal.
We are here to construct, maintain.
operate and defend the world. canal,
which runs through the heart Of your
country, and you have given us the
necessary sovereignty and jurisdiction
over the party Of your country occu-
pied by the canal to enable us to do
this effectively. We do not wish any
further responsibility in respect to
your government than Is necessary In
the carrying out of our purpose to con-
struct and maintain this canal.
we have guaranteed your integrity
as republic. and for us to annex ter
ritory would be to violate that guar
antee, and nothing would justify it on
our part 50 long as Panama performs
her part under the treaty.
Make Emphatic Statement.
II wish to make this statement as
emphatic as possible, because ifre-
Eponsible persons without the slightest
foundations in fact have started a ru-
NOR that my visit to the isthmus is for
the purpose Of promoting annexation.
when nothing could be further from
the truth.
Il am glad to say that there is not
the slightest indication or probability
that the Panaman people will ever
pursue a policy which would require a
change in the present most satisfac-
tory relations between the two repub-
lies" tis
AS result Of President Taft's visit
to the canal zone new form of gov
eminent for the territory is likely to be
Instituted.
Officials on the ground urged the
ypresideHt to recommend to congress a
single headed government for the zone
sRnd full and permanent government
control Of the waterway and the supply
Hdepots.
The presidents virit is bearing fruit
In the matter of first-hand information
secured which will help him to deal
with the problems involved in the
construction, maintenance and control
Of the canal
Down IN cuIebra Cut.
President Taft is gratified over the
results Of his three-days' inspection.
Yesterday he went deep down in the
Culebra cut, giving especial attention
to this, the most difficult part OF the
construction.
Last night President Taft left
United States territory to enter Pan
ANA City, where he was the guest OF
President Arosemona at a banquet He
also visited American Minister Daw-
son, who recently returned from a
special mission to Nicaragua. where he
assured Provisional President rs
trada of the help of the United States
In organizing new government of
tho republic and in solving the finan-
cial dificulties Of the country.
May Get Postal Banks.
The president was surprised to learn
that the zone was not included in the
operations of the postal bank law and
that some Of the workmen believed
Wall street influence had robbed them
of the benefit of this legislation. AS a
result Of representations made to him
1t Is probable that Mr.. Taft in his spec
lal message to congress will recon-
mend that provision be made for the
establishment OF postal banks in the
zone. where they are much desired to
------- -