File No. 822.124/815.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Quito , November 7, 1913 .
Department’s October 22. After considerable delay, due to illness of the President and matters growing out of the revolution, I presented today the views of the Department as stated in your telegram. The President says that Mr. McClusky, the representative of J. G. White & Co., has just arrived in Quito and that, while no definite or final contract has been signed, he believes the contract will be executed with them. I impressed upon him the relation of our Government toward the Panama Canal and its operation, and said that the United States Government, as the constructor and owner of the canal, has the power, and it is its plain duty, to so control its [Page 519] use as not to jeopardize the health of the people of the world, and that in performance of that duty it might, on occasion, be compelled, however reluctantly, to exclude from passage through the canal vessels touching at ports infected with contagious diseases; and that the work of sanitation of Guayaquil should be so thoroughly performed, and according to such high scientific standards, as to remove all doubts as to the safety and propriety of permitting vessels touching at that port to pass through the canal. I suggested that if the work should be done under the supervision of Colonel Gorgas the efficiency of the work would practically be assured. The President expressed his appreciation of the character and superior attainment of Colonel Gorgas and of the merits of the plans submitted by him, but said that the junta at Guayaquil has authority to decide the question of the supervision of the work. I suggested the propriety of me having a conference with Mr. McClusky, and the President agreed that such conference would be desirable. Unless you advise otherwise, I will pursue that course.