New-York tribune., 1910-11-04
Mr.. Cromwell Defended.

TT is eIsc untrue that Mr.. Cromwell, the
financial agent for Panama in New York,
has not presented q complete statement o.
accounts Of all moneys under hts charge
Panama always has been and is to-day eh-
soIuteIv confident Of the ability and In
teRrftv Of its financial agent and resents
sr7v iusfnuations that would tend 10 dis
credit him. The keynote OF the present ad-
r1lfnistration is economy, and already many
useless employees have been discharged, and,
in order still better to recuperate finan-
cfsIlv. every onc whose services can he
dispensed with will he dropped
1T is absolutely false that either DR.
Porus or General Domingo Disz was sent
ont of tho country 10 prevent their being
elected to the Office Of First Designado.
General Diaz was Minister 10 Paris at the
time that mission was reduced 70 A. charge
d'affaires, and be was recalled Later he
returned to Paris of his own volttiou aud
was not sent by the government To Dr..
por11s was given the honorable assignment
of delegate 10 the Pan American Congress
60 was Pablo Arosenena. who was elected,
sent 10 the chilli centennial and, although
e was impossible FOR him 70 return for the
campaign and he was not an early candi-
date. ha was elected hy the Assembly IN
his absence.
Furthermore, f. f. not true that 7 can
have the highest office within the gift of
nv government T'he only Office offered me
vas Secretary OF Fomento. OF Public
Works. and as that was a promotion, ]
have accepted. it IS true that all conces-
slons and contracts relating 10 coalinE sta
tons or anything else made with Panama
win have TO pass through this office. But
it is also true that while I am at the head
Of that Office not one contract will be
awarded that will in any way interfere
with the proper working of the canal Or
be detrimental in any way 10 the American
government or to the interests Of my own
country. I have been stationed for many
years in Washington. I was educated in
the United States, and have made strong
ties here / have preferred TO remain here
rather than accept other tempting offers.
but now I feel ] should return 10 the new
office. From my knowledge Of the American
government and its people 7 entertain rhe
strongest trust and friendship that I Will
make certain OF fair dealings in the way OF
concessions.
with reference to the fertilization Of
the canal, the government Of Panama Is
in complete accord with the policy Of the
to aid the movement. In fact. I can give
assurance that Il viii even give any ground
that may De needed. and a considerable
portion OF territory at either end. particu-
larry on the Pacific. IS owned by the gov
crUmeut.
"As 10 the statement that portion Of
the $4,000. 900 paid to Panama ny the uited
States on the acquisition Of the territory
has been misplaced. ] can state with
thOrity that every penny has been account
ed for II IL absolutely not true that ex-
President Roosevelt ordered the payment
OF 100000 of this fund to J. 7. Morgan
& Co. and without the consent Of the Pana-
ma government At that time 7 was Charge
u Anaires, and. according to an agreement
made with Mr.. Morgan. I instructed Mr..
Perkins to collect this sum. J. =. Morgan
< Co paid per cent interest. and no in
terest was being drawn from the American
government on the money held in the
I--g4aa rv-aaet1r,y