Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1909
File No. 15778/28–29.
Minister Squiers to the Secretary of State.
Panama, November 27, 1908.
Sir: Referring to Mr. Weitzel’s despatch No. 386 of November 17 last, I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of foreign office note of November 23, 1908, with translation, with respect to an encounter between the sailors of the United States warship Buffalo and natives of Panama, which took place in the city of Panama on September 28 last.
I beg to request instructions as to further demands for an indemnity in the Columbia cases.
I have, etc.,
The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Minister Squiers.
Panama, November 23, 1908.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the esteemed note of your excellency of the 12th instant, and also a copy of an order of the 23d of October, No. 125, directed to your excellency by the Department of State, containing certain declarations relative to the unfortunate encounter which took place in this capital between some private citizens and sailors from the warship of the American squadron Buffalo on the night of the 28th of September of the present year.
In replying to your excellency’s communication above referred to, I should begin by stating the painful impression which has been caused to my Government by the extremely severe terms set forth in your excellency’s note, characterizing the acts and demanding the punishment of the individuals who took part in the disturbance with the sailors from the cruiser Buffalo, as well as the punishment of the authorities and police officials to whom is attributed brutal treatment against said sailors, and negligence in attending to the wounded; indemnity for the death of Charles Rand, and for the maltreatment of Joseph Cieslik; and lastly, an apology to your excellency’s Government for the insult which your excellency alleges was offered to the uniform of the naval representatives of your nation by police officials of my country by reason of the unfortunate incident referred to.
It is plainly to be seen that the severity of the charges against citizens and officials of the police force of Panama and the gravity of the demands contained in your excellency’s note, and the communication therewith inclosed of the honorable Secretary of State of the United States, have for a basis the belief that among Panaman citizens and the subaltern police authorities of my Government there exists animosity and an aggressive spirit against the sailors of the American squadron and the present time is the opportunity to declare, which I do with a full knowledge of the facts, that there absolutely does not exist among Panamans, and much less among any of the authorities of my country, hostile sentiments against citizens and sailors of the North American Nation; much to the contrary it is to be observed how each day is developed and made firmer the friendly tendency and reciprocal consideration based on a [Page 478] mutual and sincere regard emanating from a more frequent intercourse between citizens, public officials, and those in the employ of both countries. I will cite as an example the pleasant and uninterrupted harmony which existed between Panamans and Americans in all the social functions during the recent public festivities which took place at the beginning of November in the cities of Panama and Colon and in which American officials and citizens of the Canal Zone took an active part, cordially mixing in the gatherings of Panaman authorities and citizens and between whom there did not occur, without exception, disturbance or friction.
Your excellency should not lose sight of the fact that among sailors of the warships of all nations there generally exists the habit when they enjoy a brief liberty ashore of diverting themselves with orgies, shouts, turbulence, and excesses when relieved from the rigid discipline and privations on board ship. This is why they cause unusual disorders and serious occurrences in ports where they disembark from time to time without it being possible for the local authorities or the immediate superiors of the sailors to prevent said occurrences and disorders at the precise moment when they happen. It is very possible that in the lamentable events of the 28th of September to which your excellency refers there entered a great deal of the bellicose spirit of the marines to which I have alluded when they were under the influence of liquor.
The same ward of the city in which the acts occurred to which I am referring is occupied almost exclusively by brothels and saloons and frequented by persons of the worst type of various nationalities, justifying the assertion that the sailors from the Buffalo hunting for diversion in this locality exposed themselves to a danger which exists not alone for them, but for all others who venture there.
This observation does not imply, however, a defense of the individuals responsible for the death of Rand and the wounding of Cieslik. My Government has a vivid interest in clearing up as soon as possible the occurrence and to that end has spared no efforts. For that purpose it has given the necessary orders to make a rigid investigation and will determine with certainty the culpability of the guilty parties, who will be severely punished according to the processes and rigorous forms laid down by the laws of the Nation.
I take pleasure also in communicating to your excellency that it will investigate with equal zeal and activity the conduct of the officials and acts of the police force whom your excellency accuses of cruel treatment against the wounded sailors and carelessness in the securing of medical attention, and although it is to be presumed that the deplorable incidents took place in the closing days of the last administration, none of the police vigilantes and lieutenants who took part in the same, occupy to-day the post which they occupied on the police force, because, generally, the police force has been overhauled, and I assure your excellency that as to these individuals, whatever may be their present condition, there will be applied to them the penalties provided for by the laws, once they have been proven guilty.
The present Government of the Republic vehemently desires that its relations of friendship with the United States of America and the mutual esteem of their respective citizens shall always be distinguished by the best sentiments of cordial fraternity, which is urged by the weighty reasons which from times past have been operating to cause a bringing together of both countries and binding the ties of estimation which unites them.
Moved by these considerations the present administration—hardly inaugurated—gave positive orders to the proper police authorities to the effect that they should give the subaltern officers the standing instruction to prevent in every possible manner all friction with the sailors of the American squadron.
Before closing, I have the pleasure of stating to your excellency that I entertain full confidence that the measures adopted will be strictly and satisfactorily complied with, and the reasonable hope that acts so lamentable as those which occurred during the past administration, and those which with regret I have just referred to, shall not occur in the future.
Trusting that your excellency will accept the declaration contained in this note as sufficient apology from my Government to that of your excellency, I have the honor, etc.,