The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-17
Taft Declares This Coun-
try Does. Not Want
Panama.
ITS INTEGRITY.
is GUARANTEED
President Arouses Wild Enthu.
siasnn When, at Dinner Given
in His Honor on Isthnus,
He Denounces Recent Ru-
mors as Groundless 4
and Irresponsible.

Panama, November 16.-President
Taft tonight effectually disposed OF
the report that the United States was
likely to annex Panama. AT dinner
given In his honor by President Arose
mena, and attended by 200 prominent
officials, diplomats and merchants.
President Taft aroused the greatest
when he declared that the
American people would feel utterly dis
honored i'll anneXing Panama, unlesg
some conduct on the part of the Pam
ANA people left no other course This
contingency Mr.. Taft was sure would
never arise.
The President arrived at Panama az
$3.50 o'clock this evening from Culebra.
after spending an interesting day In
the great cut. where he was completely
surrounded oftentimes with giant
shovels, putting drills and hurrying dirt
trains, while occasional distant blasts
sent UP tons of rock. The recent land
slides were visible. but they were in
nowise disturbing to the President or
saying that they will be taken care Of
as they occur until the degree of wall
slope prevents a recurrence
Reviews NIarines.
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 OF
the men are already higher and the
cost OF living much lower than In the
United States.
Immediately on his arrival in Pan
ANA the President proceeded to the
American legation. where he was called
on by Arosarara Mr.
returned the call at the palace and then
proceeded to the banqIet.
A cordial address was made by tho
Panama President. After referring to
the relations between the United Stated
and the Panama republic. which rela-
tion President Taft declared neither
calls for nor permits annexation" the
President said:
We are here to construct, main
tain. operate and defend the world
canal which runs through the heart or
your country, and you have given us
the necessary sovereignty and juris-
diction over that part of Your country
occupied 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 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 republic. and for us to annex your
territory would be to violate that guar
antee and nothing would justify 1t on
our part SO long as Panama performed
her part under the treaty.
Makes It Emphatic.
II wish to make this statement as
emphatic as possible. because irrespon-
sible persons. without the slightest
foundation in fact, have started a ru-
NOR that my visit to the Isthmus Is
for the purpose of promoting annexa-
tion. when nothing could be further
from the truth. Panama cannot be too
prosperous, tco healthy, too strong a
government for the United States, and
know I speak the unanimous voice OF
the people of the United States when
say that they would be most ruluc-
tant to have to take over the respon-
sibilities of government beyond the
Canal Zone. and would feel utterly dts
honored in so doing unless there was
some conduct on the part of the Pan
anna people which left them no other
possible course.
II am glad to say that there is not
the slightest indication or probability
that the Panama people will ever pur-
sue policy which would require such
change in the present most salts
factory relations between the two re-
publics"