File No. 419.11D29/57.
Minister Price to the Secretary of State.
Panama , May 16, 1914 .
The Panaman judge before whom Cocoa Grove fourth of July matter has been pending adjudges, in an opinion transmitted by Panaman Minister for Foreign Affairs, that the proceedings against all of the accused be dismissed on the ground that there has not been proved that any particular policeman committed the offenses charged nor that there was any excess of force employed beyond that necessary to self-defense either by police as a body or any individual unless possibly by one of them who died in attack, 1912. The case now goes to Supreme Court for review. Panaman Minister for Foreign Affairs claims they have discovered new sources of evidence which he thinks will result in producing an impression on the Supreme Court different from that had by judge of the lower court and has requested that Supreme Court open the case to hear additional testimony. I continue vigorously to insist on the action by Panama which we claim that justice demands; and, to urge the seriousness with which the Department considers this matter, I have communicated with Panama heretofore and will again in the sense of Department’s instruction 42. I believe Panama plans a judicial whitewashing in this matter pursuant to which it will claim to be bound by the action of its judicial authorities and therefore unable to comply with any of our demands.