Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-27
KELLOGG REFUSES
PANAMAN REQUEST
FOR|NIERVENT|ON
Charges of Fraud in Coming
Election Fail to Con-
vince Him.
BELIEVES COUNTRY IS
ABLE TO KEEP ORDER
But Says United States Will Step in
if Threats of Revolution Are
Carried Out.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
Secretary Kellogg made it known to-
day that the United States Government
does not feel justified in intervening in
Panama to supervise the approaching
national elections there, as requested by
one Of the country's political parties.
Charges Of fraud and corruption in
connection with the coming election
have been made to the State Depart.
ment by representatives Of the party
opposing the administration, but the
documents submitted, the Secretary
said, had failed to convince him that
American Intervention was necessary.
viii Protect Canal Rights.
The obligation to see that there is a
free and fair election rests with the
Panaman government, whose Minister
here has assured the State Department
that 1t was prepared to preserve order.
Should disorders arise threatening the
security Of American interests In the
Canal Zone, the United States, the
right accorded 1t by treaty to protect
its rights.
Secretary Kellogg's statement follows
Presidential elections In Panama will
be held on August S. The opposition
party has submitted to the Department
Of State charges of fraud and corruption
on the part of the government and has
alleged that free and fair elections can
not be held without American SUPER
vision, and has asked that the United
states intervene and supervise the elec-
tions.
"A painstaking analysis Of the repre-
SentationS made and of the documents
submitted has failed to convince the de-
pa II th-t there Is suf1icient grounds
to a. rize the Intervention OF. the
United States.
while the government has vital in
terests to protect In the Canal Zone and
authority to intervene for the purpose
OF maintaining public order, the
primary obligation, as the department
has heretofore stated, to conduct a free
and fair election and for the main-
tenance Of law and order In Panama
rests upon the Panan1an government
u. s. Is Impartial.
"Between the two parties, the United
States maintains an attitude Of perfect
impartiality and viii do nothing to help
either the party in power or the op-
position party. The Panaman election
law places extraordinary power and
control over the election in the hands of
the administration In ONCE and corre-
Spondtngly imposes grave obligations
upon the Panaman government.
This Government is so deeply desir-
Gus, as contributing to the development,
prosperity and well-being of Panama,
that there should be a free and fair
election, that 1t will follow the proceed
ing with the greatest interest. The de-
partment has been assured by the
Panaman Minister in Washington that
his government will administer the law
in scrupulously impartial manner, as
otherwise 1t would not expect recogni-
ton by the Government of the United
States of these successful candidates.
The opposition party has stated that
unless there Is Intervention by this
Government. revolutionary activities will
ensue. The department sincerely trusts
that such counsel win not prevail.
Nevertheless, should such a lamentable
situation arise, the department believes
the Panaman government will be able
to preserve public order. Should this
unfortunately not be the case, the
United States would be compelled to
exercise the power granted under the
treaty and the Constitution to maintain
order"