Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 7, 1915

File No. 819.1052/46.

The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War.

Department of State,
Washington, May 17, 1915.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 11, 1915, relative to the uncertain status of the United States military patrols in Panama and Colon, in connection with the recent police riots in those cities.

In reply you are informed that due note has been taken of the recommendation by the Commanding General, Eastern Department, that the patrols in question be placed upon some recognized basis through an agreement between the United States and the Republic of Panama, in which recommendation you state the Department of War concurs.

In accordance with the suggestion contained in your letter, instructions have been sent the American Minister in Panama to confer with Major General George W. Goethals and Brigadier General Clarence R. Edwards, regarding the “exact powers and functions that should be vested in the military patrols” before the Government of Panama is approached relative to the concessions which will be necessary from it, in placing these patrols upon a definite basis.

I have [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:

Robert Lansing.