New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-04
PANAMA REQUESTS us.
TO Be ELECTION OFFICER
ArOsemena Hopes the Friendly
Offices Accorded in 1903 Will
BE Again Extended.
AMERICA TO SEE FAIR PLAY
Campaign for Presidency Of
Little Republic Now in Full
Blast and Political Stu.
alton is Delicate.

Panama, May 3.--The United States gov.
eminent has been requested 70 intervene IN
the Presidential election in Panama TO the
extent OF seeing that Il is fairly con.
Quoted.
This fact was admitted to-day by Presi-
dent Arosemena In an interview with an
! Associated Press representative. He said
that the directorate Of the Union Patroit-
lea, the name given 10 a party composed
OF friends of President Arosemena and
Pedro a. Diaz, the official candidate for the
Presidency, has asked for American inter
vention such as was accorded in the cleo
tons Of 1908, when Secretary OF War Taft
| informed the Panama government that the
| election must be conducted fairly.
| President Arosemena added that his gov
eminent would welcom3 such intervention.
The directors OF the Liberal and Conserva-
tive parties also say they have requested
the United States government 10 Sc 20 It
that the election IS fair one.
These requests are taken here TO indicate
that the political situation in the republic
is a delicate one
! The reports OF rioting Yesterday az
| Doioga, following an address by pr. Bali
, carlo Porras, another candidate for the
| Presidency, created a graf sensation
throughout the country to-day. The situa-
ton is practically beyond the control OF
| the political leaders, and passion runs SO
) high that It is feared some slight incident
! may result in a confia grafton.
! Mr. Taft, then Secretary 81 War, in
letter dated May -, 1903, AMI addressed to
| President Amador, suggested that two
years previously. when charges OF fraud
were made concerning the Congressional
! elections IN Panama, II was not thought
best to do more than urge fairness In the
| administration OF the election laws OF that
republic. Secretary Taft was on the
! isthmus at the time. and pei sonalIy deliv-
| cred the letter 10 President Amador. II
added that the United states could not look
| upon any election which was not conducted
| on fair lines, ana which was likely TO lead
to violence with anything but the utmost
| concern, and said that the Secretary had
received specific charges OF fraud in the
| impending Presidential election. After
citing some OF these specific charges the
letter suggested that the registration lists
should be opened in order that the voters
might not be deprived of their right 10 cast
their ballots.
1T goes without saying" the letter
, continued that the United States Will
! be most reluctant 10 intervene In the In
ternai affairs OF the Republic OF Panama.
but for the reasons I have given. should
the occasion arise do not see how II can
| be avoided venture to suggest TO Your
| r1xcellency therefore, that In view Of the
| charges which have been made the wisest
! course for your government to take is 10
! give into the hands of person admitted
! ~ impartial as between Senior Arias and
Senior Obaldia (the Presidential candi-
dates OF 1909 the administration OF the
Interior Department, having control OF
the election machinery"
With his letter to President Amador
Secretary Taft Enclosed dispatch he had
received from President Roosevelt, as
follows:
You are authorized 10 say to President
Amador that the government OF the United
States will consider that any attempt a
the election of successor by fraudulent
methods or methods which deny TO large
part or the people opportunity 10 vote
| constitutes a dis turbance of public order
! uuires Intervention. and TINS soNernment
| will not permit Panama TO pass into the
| hands Of any one so elected. In
| case we find occasion for Intervention Il
will be necessary for this goNei nment 10
! consider what steps 10 Will take for re-
| dress of the wrong done and 10 prevent
| reDetition In future