The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-11-17
President EmphaticalIy Asserts
There Is No Truth in
Recent RumOrs.
HE SAYS UNCLE SAM DOES
NOT WANT MORE TERRITORY
Merely OH the Isthmus to Con-
struct, Operate and Defend
a World Canal.

PANAMA. Nov. 16.-President Taft
tonight 'cffectually disposed OF the re-
port that the United States was likely
to annex Panama.
AT a dinner given in his honor by
President Arosema and attended by 200
officials. diplomats and merchants, Mr..
Taft aroused the greatest enthusiasm
when he declared tho American people
would feel utterly dlshonored in annex
ing 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 Culcbra,
after spending the day In the great cut.
where he was surrounded oftcntimes
with giant shoyels, putting drills ana
hurrying dirt trains. while occasional
distant blasts sent up tons OF rocks. The
recent landslides were visible. but they
were in no wise disturbing TO the presi-
dent or to Colonel Goethals. the latter
occur. until the degree OF wall slope pre-
vents u reoccurcnce.
Marines Ask Increase.
The president this afternoon reviewed
the marines at Camp Elliott. later hear
ing grievance committees who asked for
an increase in pay. This, however,, Is
cause the wages OF the men arc already
higher. and the cost of living much
lower than in the United States.
Immediately on his arrival in Panama.
the president proceeded to the American
legation. where he was called on BY
President Arosema, President Taft re-
turned the call at The palace and then
proceeded 20 tho banquet. After All ad
dress of cordial welcome by the Panaman
president, President Taft said:
president Arosema. and my friends
OF Panama:
Il am again glad 10 accept of your
hospitality. AS once in the case Of Mex
leo. so now in the case OF Panama, ]
vcntured TO violate the customary liml-
tatlons upon the movements OF the pres
ident OF the United States by leaving the
soil OF my own country To come beneath
the flag and protection OF friendly
neghbor.
THE birth of the republic of Panama
and the peculiar interest which the
United Staics has had since that birth.
IN Panamas welfare and prosperity.
have found common cause In the con-
gtruction OF the Panama canal
The treaty between tho two countries
makes the United States the guaranlor
of the Panama. republic and therefore.
in a sense, the guardian, of the Liberties
ton.
Uncle Sam Responsible,
"Our responsibility therefore for your
government requires us closely to OBJ
serve the course OF conduct by those
selected as the officials of your govern
mcnt after they are selected, and 10 in
sist that they be selected according TO
,aw.
IAN this makes us especially Interested
In what is done in your government
but this return neither calls for nor per
mlts annexation. We are here TO con-
struct maintain. operate and defend the
world canal which runs through the
heart OF your country. and you have
jurisdiction over that part OF your coun-
Try occupied by the canal 10 enable 10
do this effectively.
we do not wish any further rcsponsi :
than is necessary in respect TO the car
ryiDg out OF our purpose To construct
and maintain this canal We have no
desire to add to the territory under our
jurisdiction. except as the operation oil
Inc canal may require II.
"Wc have guaranteed your integrity
as "A republic and for us To annex ter
ritory would be to violate That sanrantcc
80 long as Panama performs her part
under the treaty
No Annexation Possible.
81 wish To make this statement as
emphatic AS possible, because irrcspcnsi-
bic persons without the slightest foun-
dat ton In fact have started a rumor
that my visit To the ls'hmus is for the
purpose OF promoting annexation. whcn
nothing could he further from the truth
Panama cannot be too prosperous
too healthy too strong a government foi
the United States. and I know i speak
the unanimous voice of the people Of the
| United States when | say that we would
he most reluctant to have ito take over
the responsibility of government bcyouG
| the canal zone. and would feel utterly
dishonored in so doing unless there was
some conduct OF the part OF the Ianl-
man people which left them no other
possible course.
"I am glad 10 say that there Is not
| the slightest indication or probality tina
| the Panaman people viii ever pursue y
| policy which would require such {
| change in the present most satisfactory