File No. 4108/4–8.
The Acting Secretary of
State to Minister Squiers.
Department of State,
Washington, April 12,
1907.
No. 35.]
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your
No. 66, of the 8th ultimo, in regard to the consular jurisdiction over
the estates of citizens of the United States dying in the Republic of
Panama.
In reply I inclose for your information copy of the department’s
instruction of the 10th instant to the consul-general at Panama.
I am, etc.,
[Page 940]
[Inclosure.]
The Third Assistant Secretary
of State to Consul-General Shanklin.
Department of State,
Washington, April 10,
1907.
No. 71.]
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of
your No. 238, of the 5th ultimo,a relative to the administration of estates of
American citizens dying within the Canal Zone.
Under the law the circuit courts of the Canal Zone have jurisdiction
in all matters of probate, both of testate and intestate estates of
all persons dying in that territory except the estates of employees
of the Isthmian Canal Commission or government of the Canal Zone, or
any branch thereof, not exceeding $500 in value, which estates are
administered upon by the collector of revenues.
The department can not extend your consular jurisdiction to any part
of the Canal Zone, and in no case should a consular officer
undertake the settlement of estates of deceased American citizens
dying without his district, in violation of paragraph 30 of the
Consular Regulations.
The estates of all American citizens dying within the Republic of
Panama outside of the Canal Zone, as defined by the treaty of
November 18, 1903, are administered upon by the consular officers in
whose district the death occurs, in accordance with Article XIII of
the Consular Regulations.
I am, etc.,
