File No. 419.11D29/113.
Minister Price to
the Secretary of State.
No. 670.]
American Legation,
Panama,
November 8, 1915.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of
a note sent by me to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in compliance
with Department’s instruction No. 195 of October 23 having reference
to the selection of the Netherlands Minister to Washington and
Panama as arbitrator in the matter of the claims growing out of the
Cocoa Grove riot of July 4, 1912.
A copy of the protocol included in the text of the Department’s
instruction, was sent with my note.
Señor Lefevre has stated to me that there would be no objection to
concluding the protocol, and I have urged him to arrange for the
designation of some one by Panama, presumably himself, to sign same
with me promptly.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure.]
Minister Price to the Secretary for
Foreign Affairs.
No. 258.]
American Legation,
Panama,
November 6,
1915.
Excellency: Referring to our previous
notes upon the subject of the selection of an arbitrator to
determine the amount of the indemnities to be paid by the
Government of Panama on account of the death and injury of
Americans in the riot which occurred in the city of Panama on
July 4, 1912, and referring
[Page 1183]
more particularly to my note No. 180 of
May the 17, 1915, and your excellency’s response thereto being
No. S–6701 of May 18, 1915, and the additional note of your
excellency No. S–7662 of August 13 last, I have the honor,
confirming the information already in possession of your
excellency of the consent of Chevalier W. L. F. C. van Rappard,
Minister of the Netherlands to the United States and Panama, to
act as said arbitrator, to advise your excellency that my
Government is now ready to proceed with final arrangements for
said arbitration, it being understood, as heretofore agreed,
that the Government of Panama undertakes to pay indemnities
without regard to the circumstances affecting the riot and that
the question to be submitted to said arbitrator is merely the
amount of damages to be paid.
For the purpose of completing said arrangements in due and proper
form, my Government has authorized me, as its representative, to
sign the protocol of submission in this matter in the form which
accompanies this note.
Expressing the hope that the same may be acceptable to your
excellency’s Government and that a duly authorized
representative of same may be designated to sign same with the
representative of my Government, and awaiting your excellency’s
valued response herein, I avail [etc.]
