Office of the Historian

File No. 817.00/2083.

The American Chargé d’Affaires at Panama to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram—Paraphrase.]
No. 223.]
American Legation.
Panama, October 2, 1912.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that General Mena, the Nicaraguan general, duly arrived per United States ship Cleveland, on October 1st, and was entered that afternoon at Ancon Hospital. His son and servant are remaining for some days in quarantine.

I am informed by Captain Barber, Chief of the Canal Zone Police, that General Mena’s condition is such that he will be for some time unable to leave the ward. Captain Barber has practically decided, however, to keep him under surveillance so soon as he is able to move about.

While the Legation has not received any definite information as to his status, I learn that the Canal Zone authorities consider him as a quasi prisoner of war. Indeed there will be no other way to restrict his movements.

I have [etc.]

Wm. Whiting Andrews.