File No. 419.11 D 29/15.

The American Minister to the Secretary of State .

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

In response to my note of August 23 to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have to-day received from him a note written by direction of the President, substantially as follows:

Without previous proof of the guilt of the parties, the Government of Panama can not accede to the demand as made. Since international law requires that demands be founded on proofs, it is not necessary for the Government of Panama to explain its reasons, or to state its profound surprise at the small degree of friendliness with which on this occasion it has been treated by the Government of the United States. Prior to the conclusion of the investigation of the incident of July 4, now going on, nothing definite can be known, but assurances can be given that all found guilty will be punished.

The note then refers to the Pelote incident and claims that the Panaman police were assisting and cooperating with the Zone police.

The note ends by stating that Quijano had left before my note was received.

Dodge.