The Acting Secretary of State to Chargé Hibben.
Washington, June 11, 1909.
Your dispatches May 13 to 19. The Government of the United States views with relative indifference the question of the ratification of our treaties by Colombia and Panama, whose interests are apparently much more concerned. This Government has felt sanguine of their ratification only owing to the general desirability of settling the questions involved, and particularly as being beneficial to Colombia and Panama rather than to the United States. In view of the absurd distortion of this situation by public clamor the legation should make the above attitude well known and for the rest should maintain an impassive and dignified attitude.