Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1910

File No. 2491/77.

The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister of Panama.

Department of State,
Washington, October 11, 1909.

No. 13.]

Sir: Referring to your note of August 31 last, I have the honor to say that that attitude of the United States towards the Panama-Costa Rica boundary controversy is expressed in this department’s instructions of April 16, 1906,¹ and January 30, 1909,² to the legation of the United States at Panama, copies of which instructions were sent to your legation.

These instructions are based upon the fact that by agreement between Panama and Costa Rica the territory to the north of the Sixaola is regarded as subject to the de facto jurisdiction of Costa Rica until such time as the two nations shall have drawn a definite boundary. In view of these circumstances it does not seem necessary to make a further reply to the note of August 31, other than to invite attention to the often expressed opinion of this Government that Panama and Costa Rica should determine the boundary line in dispute either through diplomatic channels or by arbitration.

Accept, etc.,

Huntington Wilson.

1. See Foreign Relations, 1906, p. 1201.
2. Supra.