File No. 819.00/438.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Panama, July 27, 1912.
Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 161, of the 20th instant, I have the honor to inform you that no further complaints relative to the recent supervision of the elections have been received by the committee from the Panaman Government since my last despatch.
On the whole, with a few unimportant exceptions, quiet and order seems to exist throughout the Republic, and after consulting with the Porrista representatives, who have stated that this would not be necessary, the committee have decided not to send representatives to supervise the meetings of the presidential electors which take place in each provincial capital on August 1 and 2 for the purpose of casting their votes. The final electoral proceedings, which are purely of a formal character, will take place at Panama City on September 1, when the votes of the electors will be opened by the electoral council and the result of the election solemnly announced.
All the supervisors and their assistants have now returned, including one or more who remained in each district to supervise the counting on the 21st instant of the returns of the election on the 14th instant.
According to the Constitution, Dr. Porras will be inaugurated President on October 1 next.
The committee have arranged with Colonel Goethals to have all the accounts of the supervisors audited by the examiner of accounts of the Isthmian Canal Commission, who will send them, when approved, to the disbursing officer. Eventually the disbursing officer will render a full account to the committee covering all disbursements and supported by vouchers, which will then be transmitted to Señor Chiari, together with any unexpended balance. A copy of this account will also be sent to the Department.
I have [etc.]